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<ul>
 <li>Nigeria drew 1-1 with Benin</li>
 <li>They have now qualified for 2025 Afcon</li>
 <li>However, Nwabali has lost his father</li>
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Nigeria goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali loses his father as Super Eagles secure 2025 Afcon qualification despite Benin draw

<a href="https://www.goal.com/en-za/lists/watch-no-clean-sheet-for-rwanda-and-kaizer-chiefs-number-one-fiacre-ntwari-yet-again-as-nigeria-fans-slam-former-amakhosi-target-stanley-nwabali-after-conceding-silly-goal-against-benin/bltb07792b5bcf99645" target="_blank">Nigeria came back from behind to force a 1-1 draw with Benin</a> 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 HAPPENED?

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.

WHAT NWABALI SAID

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.

THE BIGGER PICTURE

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.

WHAT NEXT FOR NIGERIA?

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

The West Africans now join Bafana Bafana and other teams that have booked tickets for the tournament to be hosted by Morocco. 