The Super Eagles of Nigeria are one of the 24 countries who will battle for the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON 2025) crown in Morocco later this year.
Nigeria, one of the football powerhouses on the continent, have three titles to their name. But there is a lot of hunger and thirst for more, especially due to the talented crop of players available to the country.
Also, last time out, they finished second. So this time, there will be high expectations since it is basically the same Nigeria's AFCON squad from the last edition that will prosecute this.
But just before all of the madness starts in December, the purpose of this article is to take you through Nigeria's AFCON qualification journey, and how they made it to the African showpiece.
Handyman Augustine Eguavoen Saved Nigeria's Blushes
After the Super Eagles finished second at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, coach Jose Peseiro left the team in March 2024. It took the NFF almost two months before appointing Finidi George.
At the time, it was quite surprising. And eventually, the love story did not last. Finidi was sacked after two games in charge in the World Cup Qualifiers and one Victor Osimhen rant.
Afterwards, the NFF appointed Eguavoen to take over as interim coach. At the time, things were pretty chaotic, and there were fears that the managerial changes and boardroom mistakes were going to affect the team.
However, Eguavoen delivered in the end, as he led the team through. It wasn't the first time though. He has always been the man to step in as interim whenever the NFF sack the team's coaches.
No Problems At The Start, Super Eagles Set The Tone With Benin
Nigeria was drawn in the same group with Libya, Benin, and Rwanda.
Interestingly, the Super Eagles' first game was against Benin at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium Uyo.
Both teams had met just three months prior in the 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers, and Benin won 2-1.
So going into the AFCON Qualifiers, that game was a potential banana skin, and a loss or draw would pile pressure on the Super Eagles going into the remaining fixtures.
However, under the tutelage of coach Eguavoen, the lads showed class against Benin to claim a 3-0 win. Victor Osimhen scored a brace, while Ademola Lookman contributed one goal to seal the victory.
That game set the tone for the Super Eagles and gave them a significant boost going into the rest of the games.
Without Victor Osimhen, Nigeria Struggle – The Rwanda Draw
Victor Osimhen did well against Benin in the first game, but he suffered a knock going into the second game against Rwanda at the Amahoro Stadium in Kigali.
So coach Augustine Eguavoen gave Victor Boniface a starting shirt. Unfortunately, he flattered to deceive.
Osimhen entered the game in the second half, but he failed to score, and it was clear that he was struggling. The game eventually ended goalless.
The Libya Drama
After the first round of games in September 2024, the team returned for the qualifiers in October 2024 with a double-header against Libya.
The first leg was played at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo, and the lads eked out a 1-0 victory, courtesy of an 86th-minute strike from Fisayo Dele-Bashiru.
However, the return leg turned out to be real drama. Libya, just like most African countries, employed some antics to rattle the Super Eagles, but they took theirs too far.
They rerouted the Super Eagles' flight to an empty airport that was not in use. There was no network, no transportation, or anyone to relate with the team.
Libya 2022 v Libya 2024
Enyimba slept in airport for 24hours + after their opponents changed venue without communication (Frame 1/2)
Enyimba were to face Libyas’s Al Ittihad.
Super Eagles held hostage in Libya after they refused plane to land in
Tripoli (Frame 3/4)They can… pic.twitter.com/2rvxU04wke
— NPFL Tori Podcast (@NpflTori) October 13, 2024
The Super Eagles players and staff were locked up in the abandoned airport for nearly 24 hours, before they returned to Nigeria. The game was eventually called off, with CAF sanctioning Libya. They forfeited three points and three goals.
The Game That Did It － Benin
The game that sealed Nigeria's qualification for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations was against Benin, in the return fixture at Stade Felix Houphouet-Boigny in Abidjan.
The Super Eagles just needed a point to seal their spot in Morocco, and they got it.
Mohamed Tijani scored for Benin in the 16th minute, and it seemed like they were going to cruise to a historic win. That result would have put Nigeria under pressure going into their last game against Rwanda.
However, like a phoenix, Osimhen rose and delivered for the team again, netting an 81st-minute equalizer to ensure it ended 1-1. That result sealed the Super Eagles' AFCON 2025 ticket for Morocco.
Augustine Eguavoen Demystified － Rwanda Shock Super Eagles In Nigeria
After sealing qualification, the Super Eagles were expected to end the qualifiers on a high note against Rwanda.
All the stars were available, and it was building up to be the perfect climax for the team － but it did not happen.
Nigeria dominated the game, but they had to wait until the 59th minute before they got the opener, courtesy of Samuel Chukwueze.
However, they fell apart in the final quarter of the game, with Ange Mutsinzi and Innocent Nshuti scoring to seal a shock 2-1 win for the Cheetas.
That result left most Nigerian fans disappointed and shocked. And after the early praises for coach Eguavoen, sections of fans turned against him and started clamoring for a new coach.
That was what prompted the NFF to appoint former Mali coach Eric Chelle to take over as the new Super Eagles boss.
Biggest Lesson From The Super Eagles' AFCON 2025 Qualification
The entire Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers took place in just three months － September to November, 2024. So it seemed like it was really quick.
However, it proved that doing your business quickly and early in a qualifiers series is very important.
The Super Eagles were able to seal qualification quickly and avoid the use of calculators because they won three of their four opening games of the series.
If they had dropped points or faltered, like they did in the World Cup Qualifiers, it would have been really dramatic. So, doing the job early was great.
With the AFCON merely weeks away, and Nigeria's AFCON fixtures almost here, the team will be hoping to claim a fourth title.
