Nigeria has been drawn in Group D of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, alongside Benin, Libya, and Rwanda.
This presents a chance for the Super Eagles to avenge a shocking 2-1 defeat to Benin in their recent World Cup qualifiers.
The draw, held in Johannesburg, determines the path for African nations to reach the 2025 AFCON finals in Morocco.
Only the top two teams from each group, except Group B containing hosts Morocco, will qualify for the December 2025-January 2026 tournament.
Nigeria’s recent performance has been shaky. Following a runners-up finish at this year’s AFCON, they’ve seen coaches Jose Peseiro and Finidi George depart after a string of disappointing results, including a home draw with South Africa and the aforementioned World Cup qualifying loss to Benin.
Meanwhile, Group G promises another intriguing encounter.
Ivory Coast, the 2024 AFCON champions, will face Zambia, the 2012 champions who caused a major upset by defeating the Ivorians on penalties in the final.
Both teams will be eager to prove their dominance in this group, which also includes Sierra Leone and Chad.
South Africa, riding high after a surprising third-place finish at the AFCON, finds themselves in Group K alongside Uganda, Congo Brazzaville, and South Sudan.
Coach Hugo Broos, who led Cameroon to victory in the 2017 AFCON, will be looking to maintain Bafana Bafana’s positive momentum.
Elsewhere, five-time champions Cameroon are in Group J with Namibia, Kenya, and Zimbabwe. Hosts Morocco, automatically qualified, will face Gabon, Central African Republic, and Lesotho in Group B.
However, only the highest-placed team from this group, besides Morocco, will advance to the finals.
The qualifiers kick off in September with two matchdays, followed by two more in October and a final two in November this year, with the expanded Club World Cup pushing the AFCON tournament back to December 2025.
