Super Eagles of Nigeria Qualify for Next Year's AFCON Tournament

Super Eagles of Nigeria Qualify for Next Year's AFCON Tournament

Babajide Orevba
updated at April 12, 2023 at 7:42 PM

- Super Eagles of Nigeria are automatically through to the AFCON 2021 tournament

- Sierra Leone forced Lesotho to a 1-1 draw which confirms Nigeria's place in Cameroon

- With two games to spare, Nigeria will now take on Benin and Lesotho for pride

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The Super Eagles of Nigeria have qualified for next year’s AFCON in Cameroon after Lesotho and Sierra Leone played goalless draw.

Nigeria who lead the group with eight points and with two games to spare will now tackle the Squirrels of Benin for pride.

Benin will go into their game against Nigeria in second position with seven points and will need, at least, a draw to also book thier place in the biennal tournament.

Sierra Leone are third with four points, but with just one game to spare, while Lesotho are rock bottom of the group with just three points.

However, two Benin players have tested positive for the dreaded coronavirus and are ruled out of the clash against Nigeria.

An official statement is yet to be made by the Benin Football Federation regarding the latest development as the match is just a few hours away from kick-off.

Also, Super Eagles winger Alex Iwobi has tested positive for Coronavirus and will out of the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying tie against Benin.

The Everton of England star returned positive result after Super Eagles players and officials took Covid-19 test on their arrival at Cotonou from Lagos on Friday.

Super Eagles of Nigeria Qualify for Next Year's AFCON Tournament
Super Eagles are through to AFCON tournament. Photo: Erwin Spek
Source: Getty Images

Iwobi, who was expected to be named in the starting line-up will also miss next Tuesday’s home clash against the Crocodiles of Lesotho.

Legit.ng earlier reported that a throw-back photo has continued to make the rounds on social media showing new Super Eagles invitee Anayo Iwuala struggling to take a picture with Kelechi Iheanacho.

The Enyimba of Aba striker was called into the national team by coach Gernot Rohr, as a replacement for Almeria forward Sadiq Umar who could not make trip back home.

It was gathered that the photo was taken in 2019, and now Anayo is now Iheanacho’s team-mate ahead of the AFCON 2021 qualifiers against Benin and Lesotho.

Babajide Orevba is a digital publishing expert, an avid sports content thinker, researcher and writer. He is a graduate of Guidance and Counselling, having bagged his B.SC (ED) from the Ekiti State University. He can be reached on Twitter @JideOrevba

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Babajide Orevba photo
Babajide Orevba
Babajide Orevba is a CAF accredited Nigerian journalist and HOD of the Local Desk with over 10 years of experience in media landscape.He studied NCE Political Science/Social Studies, AOCOED.
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