The full roster of 24 nations set to compete in the 2025 CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) is now confirmed, with Mozambique clinching the final spot after defeating Guinea-Bissau 2-1 on Tuesday.
Turkish giants, Galatasaray has congratulated Victor Osimhen for securing Nigeria’s passage to the finals of the Africa Cup of Nations, Morocco 2025. The reigning African Player of the Year, who plies his trade with Galatasaray, ensured Nigeria’s qualification for the Biennial tournament with an header in the 81st minute of the tie. The Turkish side took to social media to congratulate their star player for his impressive display against the Cheetahs of Benin. “Congratulations to Victor Osimhen who scored the only goal for Nigeria in the 1-1 draw with Benin in the Africa Cup of Nations Qualifiers, securing their qualification from the group stage,” Galatasaray wrote on X handle. Osimhen’s goal has also put him at par with the legendary Olusegun Odegbami in goals’ tally for Nigeria. Both are now joint second to the top man, Rashidi Yekini (of blessed memory) who scored 37 goals in 58 matches. Osimhen’s goal, in which he profited from a pinpoint cross from Moses Simon, and restored parity on the night after Mohamed Tijani’s goal for the Cheetahs in the 16th minute, was his 23rd for the senior team. Odegbami, the former captain of the team who took the 1980 Africa Cup of Nations finals by the scruff, scored his 23 goals in 46 matches.
Nigeria and Rwanda stifled themselves to a scoreless draw at a refurbished Amahoro Stadium in Kigali on Tuesday, but the Super Eagles retain leadership of their qualifying group courtesy of the 3-0 whiplash of Benin Republic in Uyo on Saturday. Libya’s Mediterranean Knights, playing the Cheetahs in Abidjan some hours later, would only be able to dislodge the Eagles if they won by three goals. The draw was typical of two earlier encounters between both teams in Kigali, as Nigeria forced a 1-1 draw in a 2006 FIFA World Cup qualifying match also at the Amahoro, and both teams drew 0-0 in a 2013 AFCON qualifier at the Stade Regional de Nyamirambo. Coach Augustine Eguavoen made only one change from the squad that started against the Cheetahs, with Fisayo Dele-Bashiru taking the place of Alex Iwobi. Defender Bruno Onyemaechi should have put Nigeria ahead after only three minutes, but he miscued his shot after a great pass by Ademola Lookman. Two minutes later, midfielder Wiflred Ndidi’s shot went straight to goalkeeper Fiacre Ntwari. Bonheur Mugisha and Kevin Muhire took turns harassing the Super Eagles’ defence as the game wore on, but Nigeria could have been up by a goal after 22 minutes as Lookman headed into the net. But Moroccan referee Karim Sabry ruled that a Nigerian player had pushed a defender in the build-up. Victor Boniface wasted a glorious opportunity in the 25th minute, and in the 37th minute, Onyemaechi failed to capitalize as Boniface’s shot rocked the upright and bounced back into play. Four minutes to half time, Onyemaechi, getting into scoring positions easily, headed wide when he received a cross from the right by Olaoluwa Aina. Eight minutes into the second half, substitute Moses Simon’s shot from William Ekong’s floater was blocked by an imperious Ntwari. Jojea Kwizera could have put the Wasps in front on 68th minutes as the home boys broke forward, but his shot flew away from goal. With 19 minutes left, Lookman was almost celebrating a goal, only to see his volley from Aina’s cross punched out by Ntwari. Mugisha, undaunted, unleashed a rocket from 22 yards with two minutes, but goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali punched into safety. Substitute Raphael Onyedika could have struck in the 89th minute, but again, Ntwari was on hand to block his shot, just as he held firmly to the ball from substitute Victor Osimhen’s header in added time. The Eagles will next confront the Mediterranean Knights of Libya at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo, mid-October.
Ghana managed a point against Niger in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier after throwing away a first half lead to draw 1-1 with the Menas at the Municipal Stadium in Berkane, Morocco. Alidu Seidu put Ghana ahead just before the half-time whistle but Niger equalised through Oumar Sako to claim a point. Otto Addo made two changes to the starting line-up for the game as Majeed Ashimeru and Inaki Williams took the place of Elisha Owusu and Jordan Ayew. The backline was unchanged – Tariq Lamptey, Alidu Seidu played as full backs with Salisu Mohammed and Abdul Mumin partnering in central defense. Captain Thomas Partey led from the heart of the pitch alongside Majeed Ashimreu and Mohammed Kudus while Abdul Fatawu Issahaku, Antoine Semenyo and Inaki Williams operate in the front three. The Black Stars took the lead in the 35th minute through an unlikely source after Alidu Seidu smashed home from 35 yards for the opening goal. Ghana went into the break with a slim margin and came from the break looking to add to the tally – but Otto Addo’s side failed to create any clear-cut chances and were ultimately punished by Oumar Sako in the 81st minute following a goalmouth melee. The introduction of Jordan Ayew and Brandon Thomas-Asante added very little to Ghana’s attacking threat as Niger held on for a draw. Ghana remain winless in Group F of the 2025 AFCON qualifiers after one draw and one loss in their two games in Group F.
Augustine Eguavoen started his fourth stint with the Super Eagles on a fabulous note, with the three-time African kings decimating Benin Republic’s Cheetahs 3-0 in Uyo on Saturday. The 58-year-old intends to continue along the win-and-smile path when Nigeria confront Rwanda at the Amahoro National Stadium, Kigali on Tuesday afternoon. “We play to win all the time, because Nigerians expect their team to win all the time. And because we have a team with great personnel, we play every team with respect but we don’t get intimidated by any. “Our objective for Tuesday’s game is the three points.” Team captain William Ekong, speaking at the pre-match post conference at the Amahoro Stadium on Monday, just before the Eagles’ official training, echoed the tactician: “We are here for a purpose. With Coach Eguavoen, who has coached the team before, we all feel like a family. We will play for each other and go for the three points that will establish us at the top of the table.” Table-toppers Nigeria, still basking in the great-feel of their 3-0 defeat of the Cheetahs, take on the Amavubi (Wasps) at the refurbished 45,000-capacity facility in the heart of Kigali in a Matchday 2 encounter of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign, from 2pm Nigeria time. Tuesday’s encounter is the first of four battles between the Eagles and the Amavubi in the next 12 months, with the two teams to clash in November in Nigeria in the final round of this qualifying race, and then do a home-and-away in the 2025 FIFA World Cup race with the Wasps also hosting Nigeria first in March next year. Coach Torsten Spittler, a German, has roused the country of 13 million people to believe that the Amavubi can torpedo Nigeria, Libya and Benin Republic, and earn their first ticket to the Africa Cup of Nations since 2004. He flaunts an impressive record though, having led the team to win three of their last eight matches, drawing four and losing one. Spittler intends to set defenders Claude Niyomugabo, Fitina Omborenga, Ange Mutsinzi, Jean Claude Niyomugabo and Christian Ishimwe against Nigeria’s twin-terrors Ademola Lookman and Victor Osimhen, who both concocted the three goals that deflated the Cheetahs in Uyo. In the midfield, Olivier Niyonzima, Bonheur Mugisha and Jean Bosco Rubineka can prove a handful on their day, and at the fore, Spittler has implicit confidence in Gilbert Mugisha, Bienvenu Mugenzi and Innocent Nshuti, who got the team’s equalizer against Libya in Tripoli last week. Eguavoen confirmed on Monday that all 23 players in the Nigeria team abode at the Radisson Blu are fit and ready, meaning that goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali should be expected to start, alongside captain Ekong, Semi Ajayi and Calvin Bassey at the heart of defence, while Olaoluwa Aina and Bruno Onyemaechi will be wingbacks. Wilfred Ndidi will possibly anchor the midfield that will have Alex Iwobi or Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, while Ademola Lookman, Victor Boniface and Samuel Chukwueze could still start at the fore.
Galatasaray of Turkey new man Victor Osimhen has finally arrived the Super Eagles’ camp in Uyo ahead of Saturday’s AFCON 2025 qualifier against Benin Republic. The striker, upon arrival joined his national teammates in training at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium. Osimhen was received by the team’s captain, William Troost-Ekong, others players and officials. He was also congratulated on his recent loan move to Turkey. With Osimhen’s arrival, all the invited 23 players for the Benin Republic and Rwanda clash are in camp.
Interim manager Augustine Eguavoen has declared that Nigeria’s Super Eagles are raring to go for all six points available in this month’s 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying matches against their counterparts from Benin Republic and Rwanda. The reigning African vice champions clash with the Cheetahs of Benin Republic in Uyo on Saturday, 7th September and then keep a date with Rwanda’s Amavubi in Kigali three days later. “Our objective is clear: to pick the six points in both matches. The players know this, and are committed to accomplishing this. The matches will not be easy; no qualifying game can be taken for granted because all the teams want to play in the finals. However, we have spoken to the players and all of us are on the same page. “Starting with the match against Benin Republic on Saturday, nobody is mentioning anything about revenge. Our goal is three points, and then we aim for another three points in Kigali on Tuesday that will put us in good stead for qualification.” Eguavoen has a number of stalwarts who are truly determined to appease fans and enthusiasts for missing the two FIFA World Cup qualifying matches in June, from which poor results threaten the Eagles’ chances of reaching the 2026 finals. AFCON’s Man-of-the-Competition William Ekong, also team captain, was overlooked for the ties against South Africa and Benin Republic as he was recovering from injury, but is back at the heart of the rearguard to lead the three-time African champions to hunt for points for another showpiece. Ekong scored three goals at the AFCON finals early in the year. Reigning African Player of the Year Victor Osimhen missed the two games in June, as defender Ola Aina and star forward Moses Simon due to injury. Osimhen just signed for Turkish giants Galatasaray and will be keen to impress his new employers, while banishing talks of his rustiness. Rapid-raider Simon, who on his good day can single-handedly decimate the opposition, is also eager to again dorn the green-white-green, just as Aina. Eguavoen is most likely to start goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali, with Aina, Semi Ajayi, Ekong and Bassey at the rear, and any three of Frank Onyeka, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, Alex Iwobi, Wilfred Ndidi, Alhassan Yusuf and Raphael Onyedika in midfield. Osimhen, Kelechi Iheanacho, Samuel Chukwueze, Simon, Taiwo Awoniyi, Victor Boniface and Ademola Lookman are gunning for shirts at the fore. Lookman, in the list of 30 nominees for the Ballon d’Or, will walk with a greater spring in his steps, and justifiably so. He scored three crucial goals for Nigeria at the AFCON, and his 17 goals and 11 assists steered Atalanta FC to the Europa Cup final, where his hat-trick did the damage on German club, Bayer Leverkusen. Saturday’s match will kick off at 5pm inside the Godswill Akpabio Stadium.
Fulham FC of England duo, Alex Iwobi and Calvin Bassey have joined up with their national teammates in Uyo ahead of the Morocco 2025 qualifiers against Benin Republic and Rwanda. Iwobi and Bassey were received on arrival by the Super Eagles’ skipper, William Troost-Ekong. FC Augsburg of Germany defensive midfielder, Frank Onyeka also stormed the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Uyo, which puts number of players at 14. The former African champions are expected to kick off their build up for the ties later today. Other players in camp are; Wilfred Ndidi, Victor Boniface, Amas Obasogie, Taiwo Awoniyi, Ademola Lookman, Ola Aina, Semi Ajayi, Olisa Ndah and Fisayo Dele-Bashiru.
