Super Eagles fans took to social media on Saturday to celebrate Nigeria’s qualification to the Africa Cup of Nations.
Even before a ball was kicked in their qualifier against Benin, the West African giants had already secured their berth in Cameroon due to results elsewhere.
Sierra Leone’s 0-0 draw with Lesotho in the group’s other qualifier meant that Nigeria, who headed into the match against Benin on eight points, could not be caught.
Benin, in second on seven points, remain in the hunt, as do third-placed Sierra Leone.
However, the Leone Stars—on four points—cannot catch up with Nigeria, while bottom-placed Lesotho (who face Nigeria in Lagos in the final qualifier) are entirely out of the running.
Predictably, the qualification was met with strong and emotional response across social media as fans flocked to celebrate the achievement and to back Nigeria for glory in Cameroon.
Despite an underwhelming qualifying campaign—complete with two draws against Sierra Leone—Super Eagles fans appear undaunted that the West African giants can go the distance at the tournament and clinch their fourth continental crown.
One of Africa’s biggest and most successful nations, Nigeria, last won the Nations Cup in 2013 when they defeated Burkina Faso in a narrow final.
Their previous successes came in 1980—the country’s first success—and in 1994, when the Golden Generation conquered the continent.
There had been hopes, under the guidance of Gernot Rohr that this tantalising Super Eagles generation could make the most of their immense quality and clinch the country’s fourth title.
The likes of John Obi Mikel, Victor Moses and Odion Ighalo may have all stepped away from the team, but there’s still immense quality in the form of Wilfred Ndidi, Victor Osimhen and Kelechi Iheanacho among others.
This generation has been celebrated for their achievements at club level, although their third-placed finish at the 2019 Nations Cup wasn’t perhaps as convincing as the bronze medal suggests as Nigeria were defeated by Madagascar en route to the semis.
Similarly, while the Eagles breezed through qualification for the 2018 World Cup—seeing off Algeria, Cameroon and Zambia in the process—they didn’t truly do themselves justice at the tournament.
Despite victory over Iceland, timid performances against Croatia and Argentina led to a first round exit, when a spot in the knockouts appeared to be well within their grasp.
The next AFCON, therefore, represents a golden opportunity for Rohr’s charges to make the most of their immense potential…but are they truly in position to win the gold?
Source: Goals.com
Super Eagles seal AFCON 2025 spot, draw 1-1 against Benin
Victor Osimhen’s late header helped the Super Eagles of Nigeria secure a 1-1 draw against Benin Republic in Abidjan, clinching their qualification for the 2025 African Cup of Nations (AFCON).
Benin, playing their matches in Côte d’Ivoire, took an early lead in the 16th minute when Mohammed Tijani headed in a short corner.
The goal followed a period of sustained pressure from the Beninoise side on the Nigerian defence.
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Benin nearly doubled their advantage shortly afterwards, but goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali made a crucial save to keep Nigeria in the game.
Osimhen threatened as the first half progressed, with a powerful header that narrowly missed the target.
In the second half, Benin came close again, but a shot veered inches wide of the right post, sparing the Eagles further trouble.
With nine minutes remaining, Osimhen rose to the occasion, connecting with a precise cross from Moses Simon to level the score at 1-1.
With this result, the Super Eagles top Group D with 11 points from five matches, while Benin hold second place with seven points.
BREAKING: Super Eagles qualify for AFCON 2025
The Super Eagles of Nigeria have secured their qualification for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco, following Libya’s 1-0 victory over Rwanda in Kigali.
This result leaves Rwanda with five points from five matches, rendering them unable to surpass Nigeria in the standings, even if they win their upcoming match against the Super Eagles in Uyo.
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Currently, Nigeria leads Group D with 10 points, followed by Benin with six points, Rwanda with five, and Libya at the bottom with four points.
Benin remains in contention for the second qualification spot and will face Nigeria in a crucial match tonight.
Libya is set to host Benin in the final Group D game on Monday.
Mike Tyson back in ring to face Youtuber Paul
Nearly 40 years after making his professional debut, and 19 years after being battered into retirement, a 58-year-old Mike Tyson will climb back into the ring on Friday for a Netflix-backed bout that has drawn widespread condemnation across the boxing world.
Tyson, who terrorised the heavyweight division during an imperious reign in the late 1980s, is lacing up the gloves once more to take on Youtuber Jake Paul, 27, in an officially sanctioned fight at AT&T Stadium, the home of the Dallas Cowboys, in Arlington, Texas.
The fight, which will be comprised of eight two-minute rounds, was initially due to take place in July but was postponed in May after Tyson required medical treatment on a flight from Miami to Los Angeles after vomiting blood due to a bleeding ulcer.
That gory mid-air emergency has provided another piece of ammunition for the numerous critics who have condemned Friday’s contest as a macabre circus act that poses an unacceptable level of risk for Tyson, who last graced a professional ring in 2005, when he was beaten via a technical knockout after quitting on his stool against Irish journeyman Kevin McBride.
“Twenty years ago, Mike Tyson retired from boxing, and was shot to pieces, right? I mean, completely shot,” the prominent British fight promoter Eddie Hearn said this week.
“If anyone thinks that Mike Tyson should be in a ring at this age, you either have absolutely no emotional feelings toward the man, or you’re an idiot. It shouldn’t be happening.”
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Hearn’s rival promoter Frank Warren echoed those sentiments.
“Mike Tyson is 58 years of age and he shouldn’t be fighting,” Warren said after the bout was announced. “It’s as simple as that.
“Anyone with an ounce of brains knows that it is ridiculous. You can be on a motorway stuck in a traffic jam and you get to the end of it and all it is is people who have stopped to look at a crash — and that’s what this is.”
Tyson, who US reports say is being paid around $20 million for Friday’s contest, has brushed off the concerns for his wellbeing, insisting when critics from the boxing world are motivated by jealousy.
“I’m beautiful, that’s all I can say,” he said earlier this year. “The people who said that wish they were up here. No-one else can do this.”
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