The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has announced the confirmed dates and venues for the Super Eagles’ final two matches in Group D of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualification series.
According to the NFF, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) has scheduled the matches for November 14 and 18.
The Super Eagles will kick off their campaign on Thursday, November 14, against the Benin Republic at the Stade Felix Houphouet-Boigny in Abidjan.
The match is set to begin at 8 PM Nigerian time (7 PM Ivorian time) and will be officiated by Senegalese referees, with Issa Sy serving as the center referee.
He will be assisted by Djibril Camara and Nouha Bangoura, while El Hadji Amadou Sy will act as the fourth official. Ivorian Rene Williams Sere will oversee the match as the commissioner, with Angolan Inacio Manuel Candido assessing the referees.
Following the clash with Benin, the Super Eagles will return to Nigeria to face Rwanda at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo on Monday, November 18. This match will kick off at 5 PM Nigerian time and will be officiated by Moroccan referee Samir Guezzaz, with assistants Zakaria Brinsi and Abdessamad Abertoune. Kech Chaf Mustapha will serve as the fourth official, while Ghana’s Prosper Harrison Addo will be the match commissioner, and Somalia’s Ali Mohamed Ahmed will assess the officiating.
Currently, the Super Eagles top Group D with 10 points from four matches, sitting four points ahead of the Benin Republic, while Rwanda has amassed five points. Libya is at the bottom of the group with just one point and has been eliminated from qualification contention.
A win or draw against the Benin Republic will secure the Super Eagles’ place in the finals, scheduled to take place in Morocco from December 2025 to January 2026.
The Super Eagles’ last qualifier against Libya was marred by controversy, as the team boycotted the match due to poor treatment during their travel, which included a diverted flight and nearly 20 hours of being held at the Al-Abraq airport without basic amenities.
As the Eagles prepare for these crucial matches, fans remain hopeful for a strong performance that will ensure their participation in the upcoming AFCON tournament.
