The Super Eagles kicked off their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign with a comfortable 3-0 victory over Benin Republic at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium on Saturday.
The match marked the return of former Super Eagles coach Gernot Rohr, now leading the Benin national team, to Nigeria for the first time since he was sacked by the Nigeria Football Federation December 2021.
The German had led the Squirrels to defeat the Eagles 2-1 in a 2028 World Cup qualifier in Ivory Coast in June.
Europa League winner Ademola Lookman opened the scoring for Nigeria, skillfully dribbling past several Benin defenders before slotting the ball into the net in the second minute of first-half stoppage time. This goal ensured the Eagles went into halftime with a 1-0 lead.
At the start of the second half, the Eagles struggled to extend their advantage as the visitors pressed hard for an equalizer.
In an effort to break down Benin’s defense, Super Eagles interim coach Austin Eguavoen made a triple substitution in the 63rd minute, introducing Moses Simon, Olisa Ndah, and Fisayo Dele-Bashiru for Alex Iwobi, Calvin Bassey, and Samuel Chukwueze. The substitutions energized Nigeria’s attack, with Victor Boniface coming close to doubling the lead.
The stadium erupted when Eguavoen brought on star striker Victor Osimhen for Boniface in the 72nd minute as Nigeria intensified their search for a second goal.
Just six minutes after his introduction, Osimhen delivered, scoring with a volley from inside the box to put Nigeria 2-0 up, sending the home fans into a frenzy.
Lookman sealed the win in the 83rd minute with his second goal of the game, giving the Super Eagles a commanding 3-0 lead. Osimhen nearly added another to his tally but lost control of the ball with only the Benin goalkeeper to beat.
The match ended 3-0, securing Eguavoen’s first win as interim coach of the Super Eagles.
With the victory, Nigeria sit atop Group D of the 2025 AFCON qualifiers with three points after Rwanda held Libya to a 1-1 draw in the other group match played on Friday leaving both teams on one point each. Benin are yet to amass any point after their loss.
The Eagles will travel to Rwanda next Tuesday for their second group game, seeking another victory against a familiar foe from the 2028 World Cup qualifiers.
