The Super Eagles of Nigeria on Thursday secured qualification for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco.
The Super Eagles secured a berth at the continental showpiece with two games to spare, even before they took to the pitch to take on Benin Republic.
This was after Libya snatched a narrow 1-0 victory over Rwanda in Kigali in an earlier Group D encounter, thanks to a late strike by Fahd Saad Mohamed.
The result meant table-toppers Nigeria, with 10 points, can now finish either as Group winners or runners-up, with second-placed Benin Republic still up with a chance.
A win or a draw for Nigeria against the Benin Republic, who go into the penultimate game with six points, would all but seal the top spot for the Super Eagles.
The win for Libya also pushed the Mediterranean Knights up to four points, although they remain at the bottom of Group D, while Rwanda stays in third with five points.
The game was closely contested, with both sides creating chances but struggling to find the back of the net.
Rwanda’s Innocent Nshuti came close several times, but Libyan goalkeeper Bader Hassan stood firm.
As the game approached its conclusion, Mohamed found himself unmarked in the box, receiving a pass from Nour Aldin Al Qulaib to slot it past Rwanda’s Thierry Manzi in the 84th minute.
