Libya’s Victory Secures AFCON 2025 Qualification for Nigeria

Nigeria has clinched a spot in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco with two games remaining, thanks to Libya’s 1-0 win over Rwanda in Kigali on Thursday.

The Mediterranean Knights shocked Rwanda with an 84th-minute goal by Saad Mohamed, reigniting their own qualification hopes while simultaneously sealing Nigeria’s entry into the 35th AFCON tournament next year.

Before Libya’s win, the Super Eagles were preparing to face Benin Republic’s Cheetahs at the Stade Felix Houphouet-Boigny in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, where they would have needed at least a draw to confirm their place in Morocco. Libya’s victory, however, ensured Nigeria’s qualification ahead of kickoff, relieving the team of any qualification pressure. The Super Eagles had previously faced a challenging encounter with Libya in October.

This marks Nigeria’s 21st appearance in the AFCON tournament, scheduled for December 21, 2025, to January 18, 2026. Nigeria, led by Portuguese coach Jose Peseiro, recently reached the finals of the 2023 AFCON, hosted earlier this year in Ivory Coast, where they narrowly lost 2-1 to the host nation. This runner-up finish was Nigeria’s fifth close call in an AFCON final, with their first participation dating back to 1963. The team has previously taken third place on eight occasions.

Nigeria’s AFCON titles were claimed on home soil in 1980, in Tunisia in 1994, and in South Africa in 2013.

With Libya’s recent win, the Super Eagles now only need a draw to secure the top position in their group, with an upcoming match against Rwanda set for Monday at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo. In Group D, Rwanda, in third place with five points, and Libya, just a point behind, still retain slim chances of qualification.