Nigeria began their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualification with a comfortable 3-0 victory over Benin at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo.
The Super Eagles shook off their World Cup qualification woes and brought joy to their supporters thanks to two goals from Ballon d’Or nominee Ademola Lookman and a volley from substitute Victor Osimhen to defeat the Cheetahs on Saturday.
Ademola Lookman’s solo run and strike just before halftime calmed fans of the Super Eagles who had begun to show their frustration inside the ‘Nest of Champions’.
The Atalanta forward was lively throughout the match, putting in a performance to mark the week in which he made the shortlist for the 2024 Ballon d’Or awards.
The Super Eagles were determined to avoid another humiliating defeat at the hands of the Cheetahs with memories of their shocking 2-1 World Cup qualifier defeat to their neighbours still fresh.
Just minutes after coming on as a substitute, the reigning African Best and new Galatasaray signing Victor Osimhen showed why he is a striker to be reckoned with on the continent.
The Napoli-loanee volleyed in Ndidi’s cross beyond the goalkeeper to increase Nigeria’s lead on 79 minutes.
Five minutes after Osimhen’s strike, Lookman sealed the victory with a header from Moses Simon’s cross.
Much of the celebrations that filled the Godswill Akpabio stadium air were in sharp contrast to how Nigerians had felt when this same Benin side defeated the Super Eagles in June during a World Cup qualification match.
That defeat and poor start to World Cup qualification led to then Nigeria coach Finidi George announcing his resignation as coach of the Super Eagles, amongst other reasons he gave.
This latest victory also saw the Super Eagles condemn their former coach, Gernot Rohr’s side to a first defeat in their first AFCON qualification match for the group which also includes Libya and Rwanda.
Nigeria’s win will also please coach Austin Eguavoen, who is only in charge of the Super Eagles on an interim basis after the Nigeria Football Federation stalled in their negotiations with German coach Bruno Labbadia.
As it stands, Nigeria top the group with three points. Rwanda and Libya have one point each, with all four teams having played one match each in the group.
Nigeria are next in action on Tuesday 10 September when they will take on Rwanda, while Benin will play Libya on the same day.
