Benin vs. Nigeria live score: AFCON qualifying result, stats as Super Eagles bid to qualify for finals

Nigeria are on the verge of qualifying for the Africa Cup of Nations ahead of Thursday's game with Benin in Abidjan.

The Super Eagles were awarded a 3-0 victory over Libya in their last match in October after choosing to boycott the fixture due to being left stranded in an airport. The Confederation of African Football (CAF) found Libya in breach of disciplinary rules over the incident.

Victory in this game would guarantee Nigeria's place in the 2025 finals in Morocco with a game to spare, and with star striker Victor Osimhen now back in the squad, they are confident in their chances of getting the job done.

The Sporting News is providing live score updates for this match.

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Benin vs. Nigeria score

Predicted lineups:

Benin (4-3-3, right to left): Marcel Dandjinou (GK) — Abdoul Rachid Moumini, Cedric Hountondji, Mohamed Tijani, Yohan Roche — Sessi D'Almeida, Hassane Imourane, Jodel Dossou — Dokou Dodo, Junior Olaitan, Steve Mounie

Nigeria (3-4-3, right to left): Stanley Nwabali (GK) — Gabriel Osho, William Troost-Ekong, Calvin Bassey — Ola Aina, Wilfred Ndidi, Alex Iwobi, Bruno Onyemaechi — Kelechi Iheanacho, Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman

MORE: Can Nigeria still qualify for the 2026 World Cup?

AFCON 2025 qualifying Group D standings

Nigeria start the day in first place in the standings after the opening two matchdays. They have a four-point gap to the rest of the field and will qualify for the finals with a win.

Nigeria lineup, team news and full squad for Benin match

Star striker Victor Osimhen is fit and firing once again with eight goals in nine appearances for Galatasaray this season as he returns to Super Eagles duty.

Real Sociedad forward Sadiq Umar provides another option in attack on his first call-up since suffering an ACL injury.

Defender Olisa Ndah is absent once more alongside West Brom's Semi Ajayi, with Augustine Eguavoen bolstering his defensive roster with Auxerre's Gabriel Osho and Victor Collins of Nigerian club Nasarawa United.

Nigeria predicted XI (3-4-3, right to left): Nwabali (GK) — Osho, Troost-Ekong, Bassey —  Aina, Ndidi, Iwobi, Onyemaechi — Iheanacho, Osimhen, Lookman

Full squad:

Goalkeepers: Stanley Nwabali, Maduka Okoye, Amas Obasogie

Defenders: William Ekong, Bright Osayi-Samuel, Bruno Onyemaechi, Gabriel Osho, Calvin Bassey, Ola Aina, Victor Collins

Midfielders: Wilfred Ndidi, Raphael Onyedika, Alhassan Yusuf, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, Frank Onyeka, Alex Iwobi

Forwards: Samuel Chukwueze, Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman, Kelechi Iheanacho, Victor Boniface, Moses Simon, Sadiq Umar

What time does Benin vs. Nigeria kick off?

This AFCON qualifying clash takes place at Stade Felix Houphouet-Boigny in Abidjan, Ivory Coast and kicks off at 7:00 p.m. local time. Benin does not have a stadium with adequate facilities to the game.

Here's how that kickoff time translates across some of the major global territories:

Benin vs. Nigeria stats, head-to-head record

Nigeria have won 14 of the 18 meetings between these teams, dating back to consecutive 7-0 friendly victories in 1977 and 1978.

However, they lost their last official away match against these opponents, falling to a 2-1 defeat in World Cup qualifying in June this year.