Nigeria’s Super Eagles wrapped up 2024 with mixed fortunes, securing qualification for the AFCON 2025 but suffering a disappointing home defeat to Rwanda in their final game of the year. That match also marked the end of Austin Eguavoen’s stint as interim coach, with Eric Chelle now tasked with leading the team forward.
In this piece, we take a closer look at the upcoming fixtures for the Super Eagles, as attention shifts to the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers. Following a sluggish start to their campaign, Nigeria now faces a crucial stretch in what promises to be a demanding road to qualification.
Drawn in Group C alongside familiar foes Benin and Rwanda—whom they previously encountered in their AFCON qualifying campaign—Nigeria must also contend with South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Lesotho.
Despite their pedigree, the Super Eagles have struggled to assert dominance in the group, making the path to the World Cup a tightly contested affair.
Six matches into the campaign, the Super Eagles have managed only one win, alongside three draws and a single defeat—an underwhelming return for a team of Nigeria’s calibre.
With Finidi George now at the helm, all eyes will be on 2025 as he looks to revitalise the team’s fortunes and steer Nigeria back on course for a place at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Supporters can catch all the thrills and even place wagers effortlessly through the Bet9ja app.
Super Eagles next match
Following March's World Cup qualifiers—where Nigeria secured a commanding victory over Rwanda but were held to a draw by Zimbabwe—the Super Eagles will next face Ghana in an international friendly.
- Nigeria vs Ghana
- G-tech Community Stadium, Brentford, London
- May 28, 2025
The meeting of their west African neighbours will write another chapter in a storied regional and continental rivalry.
Latest Super Eagles results
| Competition | Date | Home team | Score | Away team |
| FIFA WCQ | 25/03/2025 | Nigeria | 1-1 | Zimbabwe |
| FIFA WCQ | 21/03/2025 | Rwanda | 0-2 | Nigeria |
| AFCON 2025 Qualifier | 18/11/24 | Nigeria | 1-2 | Rwanda |
| AFCON 2025 Qualifier | 14/11/24 | Benin | 1-1 | Nigeria |
| AFCON 2025 Qualifier | 11/10/24 | Nigeria | 1-0 | Libya |
| AFCON 2025 Qualifier | 10/09/24 | Rwanda | 0-0 | Nigeria |
| AFCON 2025 Qualifier | 07/09/24 | Nigeria | 3-0 | Benin |
| FIFA WCQ | 10/06/24 | Benin | 2-1 | Nigeria |
| FIFA WCQ | 07/06/24 | Nigeria | 1-1 | South Africa |
| International friendly | 26/03/24 | Nigeria | 0-2 | Mali |
| International Friendly | 22/03/24 | Nigeria | 2-1 | Ghana |
| AFCON 2024 | 11/02/24 | Nigeria | 1-2 | Ivory Coast |
| AFCON 2024 | 07/02/24 | Nigeria | 1-1 (4-2 Pen) | South Africa |
| AFCON 2024 | 02/02/24 | Nigeria | 1-0 | Angola |
| AFCON 2024 | 27/01/24 | Nigeria | 2-0 | Cameroon |
| AFCON 2024 | 22/01/24 | Guinea-Bissau | 0-1 | Nigeria |
Nigeria 1-1 Zimbabwe, 25 March
Victor Osimhen once again demonstrated his striking prowess, netting against Zimbabwe to bring his Super Eagles goal tally to 26.
However, his contribution was not enough to secure victory, as Nigeria conceded a late equaliser—further denting their already fragile World Cup qualification campaign.
The result leaves Nigeria in fourth place, six points adrift of Group C leaders South Africa. Having missed out on the previous edition of the tournament, the Super Eagles now face an uphill battle and must engineer a dramatic turnaround to keep their hopes of reaching the 2026 FIFA World Cup alive.
The Super Eagles will play Rwanda and South Africa in must-win encounters in September.
Rwanda 0-2 Nigeria, 21 March
A brace from Victor Osimhen secured a crucial 2-0 away victory for the Super Eagles over the Amavubi at the Amahoro Stadium.
Not only did this win end Nigeria’s five-game wait for a victory in the World Cup qualifiers, but it also served as sweet revenge for the three-time African champions, who suffered a defeat to Rwanda in their last AFCON 2025 qualifying encounter in Uyo.
Additionally, the triumph marked a perfect start for Eric Chelle, as he registered his first victory in his debut match as Super Eagles manager since taking charge in January.
Nigeria 1-2 Rwanda, 18 November
Nigeria were stunned by a late surge from visiting Rwanda in Uyo.
Despite taking the lead through a magnificent solo effort from Samuel Chukwueze, the Super Eagles were pegged back by a quick salvo from the visitors, who struck twice in four minutes to turn the tide and secure a famous victory.
Benin 1-1 Nigeria, 14 November
Victor Osimhen's late header rescued a point for Nigeria in challenging circumstances in Abidjan.
Host team Benin, needing a result, were the more threatening side for much of the proceedings, taking the lead via a corner-kick and coming close to adding to their advantage in the pouring rain. Their hopes were, however, dashed as Osimhen rose to glance Moses Simon's cross into the back of the net.
Nigeria 1-0 Libya, 11 October
Nigeria were made to work really hard to overcome Libya on home soil in Uyo.
The Super Eagles were comfortably the better side and the protagonists on the day, but were impeded by a resolute North African rearguard action until substitute Fisayo Dele-Bashiru struck inside the final 10 minutes to secure a much-needed win.
