Ademola Lookman scored a brace while Victor Osimhen came off the bench to add one as the Super Eagles of Nigeria recorded an emphatic 3-0 win over Benin in the opening Group D game of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers in Uyo on Saturday evening, Afrosport reports.
The game saw former international Augustine Eguavoen take charge on an interim basis for a fourth stint and the Nigerians were in dire need of a win having lost to the Cheetahs back in June during the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
Though the beginning of the first half was a drab affair, AC Milan winger Samuel Chukwueze had two chances to put the Super Eagles in front but they went begging.
Bayer Leverkusen forward Victor Boniface also had some chances but failed to convert them and showed his frustration.
Benin had an opportunity to score from a free kick but Nigeria number one Stanley Nwabali was alert to stop it.
Nigeria finally went ahead in added time of the first half when 2024 Ballon D’or nominee Lookman evaded four Benin players with a mazy run before brilliantly putting the ball past goalkeeper Marcel Dandjinou.
Boniface had another opportunity to put his name on the scoresheet but was unable to make it count.
Gernot Roher’s men pilled on some pressure as the second half wore on and Nwabali again stood tall to make some saves.
The game however swung in the favour of Nigeria when Osimhen came on for Boniface in the 72nd minute and the Galatasaray forward struck six minutes later with a sublime waist-high right-footed volley that found its way into the roof of the net.
The reigning African Player of the Year had a golden opportunity to score a second goal but Dandjinou was quick to react and stop him.
FULL TIME ⏱️
🇳🇬 Nigeria 3-0 🇧🇯 BeninWhat a GAME!!!!🔥
— AfroSport (@AfroSportTV) September 7, 2024
Lookman put the game to bed in the 83rd minute with a fine header off a cross from substitute Moses Simon.
Nigeria will next face Rwanda in Kigali on Tuesday while Benin will take on Libya on the same day.
