Nigeria 3-0 Benin: Super Eagles Soar to Victory in AFCON Qualifying Opener
EJIM KAYCEE BETHELRaba
- The Super Eagles defeated Benin Republic [3-0] in their AFCON 2025 qualifying opener
- Ademola Lookman scored twice and Victor Osimhen added a third.
The Super Eagles of Nigeria made a resounding statement in their opening match of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, defeating Benin [3-0] at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium on Saturday evening.
Interim coach, Austin Eguavoen's tactical tweaks paid off as the team dominated the Cheetahs from start to finish.
The match got off to a lively start, with both teams creating scoring opportunities in the early stages.
However, it was the Super Eagles who eventually broke the deadlock in the second minute of first half stoppage time, courtesy of a brilliant individual effort from Ademola Lookman.
The winger's skill and determination left the Benin defenders in his wake as he tucked the ball home to give Nigeria a deserved lead.
The second half saw the Super Eagles continue to dictate the pace of the game, with Lookman and Victor Boniface coming close to adding to the tally.
However, it was substitute Victor Osimhen who doubled Nigeria's lead in the 78th minute with an acrobatic effort from Ndidi's deflected pass.
Lookman sealed the win for Nigeria with his second goal of the game, heading Moses Simon's cross home in the 82nd minute.
Eguavoen and his team will look to build on this momentum as they face Rwanda in their second qualifier on Tuesday afternoon.
