A brace by 2024 Ballon d’Or nominee Ademola Lookman and a sweet strike from reigning African Footballer of the Year Victor Osimhen secured a comprehensive 3-0 victory for the Super Eagles against the Cheetahs of Benin Republic in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers played on Saturday at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium, Uyo.
It was also a fine start for interim coach Augustine Eguavoen who kicked off another stint with the Nigerian national team with a win. But not so for former Nigerian coach, Gernot Rohr, whose Beninoise side had no answer to the firepower of the Super Eagles, who dominated from the start.
The 3-0 win avenged the 2-1 defeat Nigeria suffered to Benin in the 2026 World Cup qualifier played in June.
Osimhen’s beautiful strike in the 78th minute was sandwiched between Lookman’s brace in the 47th minute of the first half and 83rd minute.
Deep into added in the half, Lookman latched onto a floated ball in the Benin half and beat two defenders before gentle placing the ball beyond the reach of goalkeeper Marcel Dandjinou for Nigeria’s first goal.
A fine pass from Wilfred Ndidi found substitute Osimhen – who replaced Victor Boniface in the 72nd minute – and converted with a sweet half volley to give the Super Eagles a 2-0 lead.
It was the striker’s 22nd goal in 38 games for the Super Eagles and is now third on the all -time goal scorers list for the Nigerian senior national football team, behind Segun Odegbami (23 goals) and (late) Rashidi Yekini (37 goals).
In the 81st minute, Osimhen missed a glorious chance to get his brace with the Benin keeper at his mercy.
However, with seven minutes left, Lookman was not to be denied his when his glancing header off a cross by substitute Moses Simon flew past Dandjinou and into the top corner.
Nigeria currently top Group D, as Rwanda and Libya shared the spoils following a 1-1 draw in Tripoli on Wednesday.
Eguavoen will be seeking his second win as interim coach when the Super Eagles play Rwanda’s Amavubi next in Kigali on Tuesday afternoon, while Benin Republic will host Libya in Abidjan.
