The Super Eagles of Nigeria have officially booked their place in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco.

This achievement follows Libya’s 1-0 victory over Rwanda in Kigali, a result that has effectively ended Rwanda’s chances of progressing to the tournament.

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With Rwanda stuck at five points from five matches, even a victory in their upcoming game against Nigeria in Uyo won’t be enough to overtake the Super Eagles in the Group D standings.

Nigeria currently sits atop the group with 10 points, followed by Benin with six, Rwanda with five, and Libya at the bottom with four.

Nigeria’s qualification marks a significant milestone as they aim for their fourth AFCON title, last winning the prestigious tournament in 2013.

The Super Eagles, led by head coach Jose Peseiro, have shown consistent form throughout the qualifiers and will be looking to maintain their momentum heading into the tournament.

Meanwhile, Benin remains in contention for the group’s second qualification spot.

They face a crucial match against Nigeria tonight, needing a positive result to stay in the running.

The race for qualification will conclude on Monday, with Libya hosting Benin in the final Group D game.

Nigeria’s Ademola Lookman has earned a spot among football’s elite, being nominated for the prestigious 2024 Globe Soccer Awards Men’s Best Player prize.

The Atalanta forward joins a distinguished list of players including Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Erling Haaland, as revealed by the award organisers on Thursday.

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Lookman, who finished 14th in this year’s Ballon d’Or rankings, has enjoyed a standout year with both Atalanta and the Nigerian national team.

His impressive performances at the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), where he scored three goals in seven matches, were a highlight, despite Nigeria’s narrow defeat to Côte d’Ivoire in the final.

Further solidifying his case, Lookman scored a historic hat trick in the UEFA Europa League final, helping Atalanta to victory over Bayer Leverkusen.

This remarkable form has also earned him a place among the candidates for the CAF Player of the Year award.

The winner of the Globe Soccer Awards Men’s Best Player will be announced on December 27, 2024, in Dubai, UAE.

The full list of nominees for the award is as follows:

1. Nicolò Barella

2. Jude Bellingham

3. Hakan Çalhanoğlu

4. Dani Carvajal

5. Artem Dovbyk

6. Phil Foden

7. Antoine Griezmann

8. Alejandro Grimaldo

9. Viktor Gyökeres

10. Erling Haaland

11. Harry Kane

12. Toni Kroos

13. Robert Lewandowski

14. Ademola Lookman

15. Emiliano Martínez

16. Lautaro Martínez

17. Kylian Mbappé

18. Lionel Messi

19. Dani Olmo

20. Cole Palmer

21. Rodrigo

22. Rodrygo

23. Cristiano Ronaldo

24. Bukayo Saka

25. Mohamed Salah

26. William Saliba

27. Federico Valverde

28. Vinícius Júnior

29. Vitinha

30. Nico Williams

31. Florian Wirtz

32. Granit Xhaka

33. Lamine Yamal

Cristiano Ronaldo, Portugal’s all-time top scorer and football icon, was awarded the prestigious Platinum Quinas trophy at the 2024 Quinas de Ouro gala, held on Monday evening in recognition of his extraordinary career and contributions to Portuguese football.

The Platinum Quinas trophy, the highest honour presented by the Portuguese Football Federation (FPF), was bestowed upon Ronaldo for his exceptional achievements with the national team, cementing his legacy as a symbol of Portugal on the global stage.

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The 39-year-old, now playing for Al-Nassr, has earned 216 caps and scored 133 goals for Portugal, solidifying his place in football history.

In a reflection on his career, Ronaldo shared his pride in the milestone. “It is an honour to receive this trophy. I see it as a beginning. Thank you to the FPF for this award, marking a long journey filled with hard work,” Ronaldo posted on social media the following day.

The footballer, known for his determination, humorously added, “I can’t wait to see what my legs have to offer me in the next few years. If the 1000th goal comes, that’s fine… but if it doesn’t happen, I’m already the top scorer in history.”

Ronaldo also expressed his gratitude in Portuguese, saying, “É um orgulho receber este prémio pela minha carreira na Seleção. Ainda há muito por conquistar! Obrigado, @selecaoportugal!” (“It is an honor to receive this award for my career with the National Team. There is still a lot to achieve! Thank you, @selecaoportugal”).

The gala, which celebrates excellence in Portuguese football, saw the attendance of distinguished guests including Prime Minister Luís Montenegro and FPF President Fernando Gomes.

Ronaldo, who famously led Portugal to victory at the 2016 UEFA European Championship and the 2019 UEFA Nations League, praised the country’s football infrastructure.

“We have everything: magnificent stadiums, excellent coaches, potential in these players, and the stars we have. Not only in football but in other sports as well,” he remarked.

The event also honoured several other notable figures from Portuguese football. Former international Pepe, who retired in August after 141 caps with the national team, was celebrated for his remarkable career.

The ceremony also recognised players such as Diogo Costa, Rúben Dias, and Vitinha for their outstanding performances in the 2024 Ballon d’Or and Yashin award races.

Other awards included a special tribute to Jorge Jesus, coach of Saudi Arabian champions Al Hilal, for his record 34 consecutive wins, and João Matos, who was honoured for earning 200 caps with the Portuguese futsal national team.

The evening also paid tribute to the late José Manuel Constantino, the former president of the Portuguese Olympic Committee, and recognised Olympic and Paralympic athletes who earned medals at the 2024 Paris Games.

In a touching moment, FPF President Fernando Gomes acknowledged the contributions of several Portuguese clubs to the development of top talent, with representatives from Sporting, FC Porto, Benfica, Sporting de Braga, and Vitória de Guimarães attending the ceremony.

As the event concluded, Bruno Fernandes and Bernardo Silva were called upon by Portuguese U21 coach Rui Jorge to take up the mantle of responsibility for the future of Portuguese football, ensuring the continued growth and success of the national team.