AFCON 2025: Super Eagles’ qualification schedule

Published on by Toyosi Afolayan

The Super Eagles' path to the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) has been revealed, with a Group D draw placing them alongside some familiar faces. The draw, held on July 4th in Johannesburg, saw 48 African nations vying for a spot in next year's tournament.

Nigeria, three-time AFCON champions, will face off against Rwanda, Benin, and Libya in their quest for qualification. Notably, both Rwanda and Benin are also present in the Super Eagles' current World Cup qualifying group, setting the stage for a series of potentially decisive encounters.

The format is simple: the top two teams from each of the 12 groups will secure their place in the 2025 AFCON finals, scheduled to be held in Morocco. With the exception of Libya, this group effectively mirrors Nigeria's World Cup qualifiers, offering both a chance for redemption and a continuation of recent challenges.

The calendar of the Super Eagles

  • September 2, 2024: Benin (Home)
  • September 10, 2024: Rwanda (Away)
  • October 7, 2024: Libya (Home)
  • October 15, 2024: Libya (Away)
  • November 11, 2024: Benin (Away)
  • November 19, 2024: Rwanda (Home)
AFCON 2025: Super Eagles draw familiar faces
Nigeria team-Photo by Icon Sport

Analysis of Nigeria’s AFCON 2025 qualifying group

Nigeria's path to the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations appears anything but straightforward. Following a demoralizing 2-1 defeat to Benin in their World Cup qualifying group, the Super Eagles find themselves in a group that promises little respite.

The recent loss to Benin adds a layer of concern. Not only did it dent Nigeria's World Cup qualification hopes, but it also handed Benin a significant psychological advantage. The presence of Gernot Rohr, Nigeria's former coach, in the Benin dugout further complicates matters, as his intimate knowledge of the Nigerian team was a clear factor in their victory.

Nigeria must now face Benin three times in quick succession: the World Cup qualifying return leg and two AFCON qualifiers. These encounters offer a chance for redemption, but any slip-ups could prove disastrous. Victories are crucial to restore confidence and momentum, while defeats could see Benin emerge as genuine challengers for both World Cup and AFCON qualification.

While Benin provides the immediate test, Libya, ranked 118th in the world, should not be overlooked. They currently sit second in their World Cup qualifying group, just one point behind Cameroon. Their recent form suggests a team on the rise, capable of causing an upset.

Nigeria will be hoping to replicate their dominance from the 2018 World Cup qualifiers, where they thumped Libya 4-0 at home and secured a 3-2 victory away. However, given their current struggles, past glories won't guarantee success.

Similarly, Rwanda are in fine nick, currently sitting atop their 2026 World Cup qualifying group after four matches ahead of not just Nigeria and Benin, but South Africa as well.

With the Super Eagles' World Cup qualification hanging by a thread, success in the AFCON qualifiers becomes paramount. The top two teams from each group progress to the tournament proper, offering Nigeria a potential route back to glory. A strong showing in these qualifiers could be the catalyst for a much-needed revival, restoring confidence among both fans and players.

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Toyosi Afolayan

Toyosi Afolayan is a sports journalist who breathes life into the games we love. He loves to combine insightful analysis with historical background, creating a richer understanding of sports. Afolayan's expertise ranges from captivating narratives to live broadcasts, captivating audiences across platforms like Ojbsport, AllNigeriaSoccer, TVC Entertainment, Bounce Networks, Kwara TV, ICIR, EaglesTracker, and NFF TV. His background in History and International Studies adds depth, revealing the connections between sports, politics, and national identity.