The Super Eagles maintained top of Group L standings in the AFCON Qualifier on Saturday after Paul Onuachu came from the bench to give the Super Eagles of Nigeria a 1-0 victory against the Squirrel of Benin Republic.
The Super Eagles had already secured a place in the 2022 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) even before their game against Benin Republic in Porto Novo kicked off.
Nigeria’s qualification was as a result of the goalless draw between Lesotho and Sierra Leone in the early kick-off in Group L.
With Benin needing one point from the match against Nigeria to also secure a place at the finals of the competition.
A fourth consecutive goalless draw in the section seemed on the cards until giant substitute Onuachu reacted quickest when goalkeeper Saturnin Allagbe blocked a Victor Osimhen shot in Porto-Novo.
Onuachu, who replaced Kelechi Iheanacho on 69 minutes scored the all important goal on three minutes to the end of the match.
Nigeria have 11 points, Benin seven, Sierra Leone four and Lesotho three going into the final round of qualifiers Tuesday.
While three-time African champions Nigeria host Lesotho in Lagos with only pride at stake, Cup of Nations qualification will be on the line when Sierra Leone confront Benin in Freetown.
Algeria, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Comoros, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Ivory Coast, Mali, Morocco, Senegal, Tunisia and Zimbabwe have also qualified, leaving seven places to be filled.
The first of those will be decided on Sunday in Omdurman with Sudan needing a win and South Africa at least a draw as they battle to join Ghana from Group C.
The Super Eagles travelled by sea to the capital of Benin Friday after players raised concerns about the poor road network linking the neighbouring west African countries.
