Ademola Lookman scored two impressive goals, while Victor Osimhen also contributed to the tally as Nigeria secured a commanding 3-0 victory against Benin in their first match of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign, according to Reelradio.com.ng.
In their previous encounter in June during a World Cup qualifier, the Super Eagles suffered a 2-1 loss to Benin’s Cheetahs.
Interim coach Austin Eguavoen switched the team’s formation to 3-4-3 and made several adjustments to the lineup that faced the Cheetahs in June.
He gave Bruno Onyemaechi a starting position, reintroduced William Troost-Ekong into the first eleven, and assigned Victor Boniface to spearhead the attack.
Nigeria experienced an early injury concern when Calvin Bassey collided with Steve Mounié; however, the Fulham defender was able to continue playing without issue.
Victor Boniface was selected to lead the attack, taking precedence over Victor Osimhen, while Samuel Chukwueze and Ademola Lookman provided support on the wings alongside the Bayer Leverkusen forward.
The home side created their first opportunity of the game in the 11th minute from Ademola Lookman’s corner-kick, but Victor Boniface couldn’t hit the resulting chance on target.
Three minutes later, Lookman was inches away from getting the opener, courtesy of a decisive pass from Samuel Chukwueze, but he drafted his effort wide.
Courtesy of a free-kick he won, Chukwueze forced Marcel Dandjinou to his first save of the game in the 26th minute, as the goalkeeper tipped his effort over the crossbar.
However, a couple of half chances came the way of Boniface, Lookman and Chukwueze but no one could manage to stick the ball into the back of the net.
The Cheetahs registered their initial attempt on goal in the 40th minute, requiring Stanley Nwabali to deflect a free-kick away from danger.
In the second minute of first-half stoppage time, Lookman broke the deadlock with an impressive strike, skillfully maneuvering around his defenders before slotting the ball into the net.
Just six minutes into the second half, Iwobi sent a precise through ball to Lookman, who managed to evade the Cheetahs’ goalkeeper but was ultimately thwarted by a recovering defender, preventing him from scoring a second goal.
Just after the hour mark, Boniface attempted to score with an impressive volley from Lookman’s assist, but his shot missed the target.
Mounié nearly equalized for the Cheetahs with two back-to-back efforts on goal, yet Nwabali thwarted him each time.
The current African football of the year Victor Osimhen extended the Super Eagles’ advantage in the 78th minute with an impressive acrobatic finish following a deflected pass from Ndidi.
The new Galatasaray striker had an opportunity to secure a second goal shortly after, but he struggled to control the ball while attempting to round the goalkeeper.
Eight minutes prior to the end of the match, Lookman scored his second goal by heading in a cross from Moses Simon.
Benin was unable to penetrate the Super Eagles’ defense, marking their 14th defeat against their West African rivals.
Nigeria will next compete against Rwanda in the second match of the qualifiers on Tuesday afternoon.
