Nigeria goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali loses his father as Super Eagles secure 2025 Afcon qualification despite Benin draw

Nigeria came back from behind to force a 1-1 draw with Benin in a 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier at Stade Felix Houphouet-Boigny on Thursday.

Mohamed Tijani opened the scoring for Benin 16 minutes into the match before Victor Osimhen hit back for the Super Eagles with nine minutes to go.

After gaining a point, Nigeria have qualified for Afcon but their celebrations were dampened by news that goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali had lost his father.

• WHAT NWABALI SAID

  The Chippa United goalkeeper posted on his Instagram story announcing the death of his father.

  He first posted, “RIP Dad,” accompanied by a crying face emoji and a burning candle.

  The Super Eagles custodian then posted another status and wrote, “Rest in heaven” with a broken heart emoji and a burning candle.

• AFP

  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  After finishing as runners-up at the 2023 Afcon finals, Nigeria are now looking to go a notch higher and win the 2025 edition in Morocco.

  It remains to be seen if the Nigeria Football Federation will stick with caretaker coach Augustine Eguavoen going to the Afcon tournament.

• FERWAFA

  WHAT NEXT FOR NIGERIA?

  Having already secure qualification to Morocco 2025, Bafana host Rwanda for their final Group D match already guaranteed to finish the campaign top of the table.

  Nwabali is likely not to feature in that game on compassionate grounds.