Nigeria has clinched qualification for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournament in Morocco with two matches to spare.
The Super Eagles were set to face Benin Republic in Abidjan on Thursday, needing only to avoid a loss to guarantee their place at next year’s continental competition.
However, even before they took to the pitch, Nigeria’s qualification was confirmed following Rwanda’s unexpected 1-0 defeat to Libya at the Stade Amahoro in Kigali, effectively sealing the Super Eagles’ spot in the 35th edition of AFCON.
Rwanda, ranked third in Group D behind Nigeria and Benin, now stands at five points from five matches.
Despite their scheduled match against the Super Eagles on Monday in Uyo, Rwanda cannot surpass Nigeria’s current total of ten points, even if Nigeria were to lose their remaining games.
This achievement makes the Super Eagles the 11th team to qualify for the Morocco 2025 tournament, joining Morocco, Burkina Faso, Algeria, DR Congo, Cote d’Ivoire, Senegal, Equatorial Guinea, Egypt, Cameroon, and Angola.
The 2025 Africa Cup of Nations is scheduled to take place between December 21, 2025, and January 18, 2026, where Nigeria will aim to build on its runner-up finish to Cote d’Ivoire in the previous edition held earlier this year.