Nigeria’s Super Eagles kicked off their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers with a dominant 3-0 win over the Cheetahs of Benin Republic on Saturday in Uyo, www.aclsports.com reports.
The three-time African champions, who came unto the fixture on the back of poor results in the World Cup qualifiers, were too much to handle for the Benin side as Ademola Lookman marked his Ballon d’Or nomination with a brace as Victor Osimhen also grabbed a goal in the game played at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo.
With virtually all the players who played at the last AFCON available, Austin Eguavoen, the interim head coach of the team, started with almost the same set-up with William Troost-Ekong returning to the backline having missed the last international window due to injury, while Victor Boniface was chosen to lead the line ahead of Osimhen and Awoniyi.
The Super Eagles were up to the task from the game’s kick-off, but the visitors kept things tight at the back, making life difficult for Samuel Chukwueze, Boniface, and Lookman in the final third. However, the home side had a couple of chances fall to Lookman and Boniface, but the duo either missed the target or could not get the right connection with the ball. At the other end, Nwabali was tested from a free-kick in one of the few moments that the Cheetahs managed to leave their half.
In first-half stoppage time, Nigeria went ahead courtesy of a moment of brilliance from Lookman. A long searching ball from Semi Ajayi was controlled by the Atalanta man, who then weaved past a few bodies before placing the ball into the corner beyond the reach of Benin goalkeeper Souke Marcel.
After the break, the visitors showed more desire and could have been level but Nwabali made two strong stops to deny skipper Steve Mounie. With the game still delicately poised, Eguavoen made his first set of changes with Chuwkueze, Alex Iwobi, and Calvin Bassey all leaving the pitch for Moses Simon, Fisayo Dele-Basiru, and Olisa Ndah respectively. And moments later, the visibly tired Boniface was withdrawn for Osimhen.
With about 10 minutes left to play, Nigeria scored two goals to put the game beyond the visitors. Firstly, Osimhen’s first-time finish from a Ndidi cross doubled the lead for Nigeria before Simon’s teasing cross was headed in by Lookman for his second of the game and Nigeria’s third of the night.
In the end, it was a win well deserved for the dominant Super Eagles in their match day 1 2025 AFCON Qualifiers fixture against a Benin side that defeated them back in June.
The Nigerian side, who currently top the group, will now fly to Rwanda to face Amavubi at the Amahoro Stadium on Tuesday, 10th September. Benin Republic will host Libya’s Mediterranean Knights in Abidjan.
