Nigeria qualifies for 2025 AFCON in Morocco with two matches to spare

Nigeria’s Super Eagles have secured their place in the 2025 AFCON in Morocco with two games to spare after Libya’s 1-0 win over Rwanda.

 

 

[dropcap]N[/dropcap]igeria’s national football team, the Super Eagles, have qualified for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco with two matches to spare, thanks to a surprising 1-0 win by Libya over Rwanda on Thursday.

The Mediterranean Knights, Libya, stunned their hosts in Kigali with an 84th-minute goal from Saad Mohamed, which not only revived their qualification hopes but also ensured Nigeria’s place in the 35th AFCON tournament.

 

Also read: Super Eagles rise to 36th in October FIFA rankings

 

This result came just in time for Nigeria’s final group match against the Cheetahs of Benin Republic at the Stade Felix Houphouet-Boigny in Abidjan, Ivory Coast.

Although Nigeria was set to play for a point to confirm their place in the finals, Libya’s victory had already secured their qualification, negating the need for the game.

This achievement marks Nigeria’s 21st appearance at the AFCON, a tournament where they have a rich history, having won the title three times—on home soil in 1980, 1994 in Tunisia, and 2013 in South Africa.

The Super Eagles, managed by Portuguese coach Jose Peseiro, recently finished as runners-up at the 2023 edition, held in Ivory Coast from January to February 2024, after losing 2-1 to the hosts in the final.

This will be Nigeria’s 21st AFCON appearance, following a strong run that saw them reach the finals for the fifth time since their debut in 1963.

Libya’s win means that while Nigeria will play to confirm their position at the top of Group D against Rwanda at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo on Monday, both third-placed Rwanda and bottom-placed Libya, each with five points, still have slim chances of advancing to Morocco. Libya, who sit a point below Rwanda, can only hope for a miracle to qualify.

The qualification for Nigeria comes as a significant boost to their campaign and follows a challenging period where the team had to overcome a difficult October, which included a loss to Libya.

This next edition of the AFCON, scheduled for December 21, 2025, to January 18, 2026, in Morocco, will be another opportunity for the Super Eagles to add to their impressive history at the tournament.