Nigeria began their road to the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) with a dominant 3-0 win over Benin on Saturday at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo.
The Super Eagles, eager to bounce back from their World Cup qualification struggles, brought joy to their fans with two goals from Ballon d’Or nominee Ademola Lookman and a volley from substitute Victor Osimhen. The result helped ease frustrations among supporters who were beginning to show their discontent in the ‘Nest of Champions.’
Lookman, the lively Atalanta forward, opened the scoring just before halftime with a solo run and strike, calming the crowd. His performance came in the same week he was named to the shortlist for the 2024 Ballon d’Or, and he lived up to the hype with a standout display.
In the second half, Nigeria maintained control. Osimhen, who recently joined Galatasaray on loan from Napoli, entered the game as a substitute and made an immediate impact. In the 79th minute, he volleyed a Wilfred Ndidi cross past the Benin goalkeeper, doubling Nigeria’s lead. Just five minutes later, Lookman completed his brace with a well-placed header from a Moses Simon cross, sealing the 3-0 victory.
The win was a welcome contrast to the feelings surrounding Nigeria’s defeat to Benin in June during a World Cup qualification match. That loss, along with a poor start to World Cup qualifying, led to the resignation of former coach Finidi George.
Nigeria, now coached by interim boss Austin Eguavoen after the Nigeria Football Federation’s stalled negotiations with German coach Bruno Labbadia, will be pleased with the performance.
