Benin Republic Cheetahs appeared to be coasting to another victory over the Super Eagles in Thursday night’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifier at the Felix H. Boigny Stadium Abidjan, Cote D’Ivoire until Victor Osimhen popped a head to level scores.
The Super Eagles dominated from the start but they barely troubled Cheetahs keeper Marcel Dandjinou covered by a tight defending by the Cheetahs. The Super Eagles paid for their lack of ideas in attack when Benin Republic launched a counter. Junior Olaitan made a cross from the left corner, which was headed in by Mohamed Tijani in the 16th minute.
In the second half Simon Moses and Victor Boniface came in for Kelechi Iheanacho and Alex Iwobi respectively, Bruno Onyemachi also came in for new boy Gabriel Osho, however, the Super Eagles laboured on looking for the equaliser.
Wilfred Ndidi almost had it in the 61st minute, but his shot drifted wide. This was after Stanley Nwabali came one on one with Junior Olaitan, but his shot drifted wide.
Simon Moses made the crucial cross in the 82nd minute and Osimhen who had work all day and no luck, made a meal out of it to save the day for the Super Eagles.
They top group D with 11 points, which is as good as qualification for Morocco 2025. Benin are on seven points and need to avoid defeat when they play bottom of group D occupiers Libya in Benghazi to qualify. Rwanda with five points have to beat the Super Eagles in Uyo Monday and hope that the Cheetahs lose for them to go through.
AFCON qualifiers: Osimhen rescues Super Eagles from another Cheetahs defeat…book Morocco 2025 ticket
