A brace from Ademola Lookman and a goal from the returning Victor Osimhen saw the Super Eagles thrash Benin Republic 3-0 in their first game in Group D of the 2025 AFCON qualifiers in Uyo on Saturday.
It was a return to winning ways for the Eagles who headed into Saturday’s game against Benin on the back of three games without a win (two defeats, one draw).
The last time both teams met was in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers in June in Abidjan, which saw the Beninoise come from a goal down to win 2-1.
The win took the Eagles to top spot in Group D while Benin are bottom. Rwanda held Libya to a 1-1 draw in their opening game.
Up next in the qualifiers for the Eagles is a matchday 2 fixture away to Rwanda on Tuesday, September 10.
The Eagles created the first big chance in the 2nd minute as Bruno Onyemaechi broke on the left and sent in a dangerous cross which was cleared for a corner.
In the 11th minute Samuel Chukwueze broke on the left but saw his cross into the box was blocked.
Ademola Lookman has the Eagles first big chance on 15 minutes as he drove into the box only to see his low strike go across the goal.
In the 32nd minute Victor Boniface went close following a cross but could not get enough contact to the ball.
With five minutes left in the first half Benin won a freekick in a dangerous area but Stanley Nwabali pulled of a brilliant save.
Lookman opened the scoring in the second minute of first half stoppage time as he drove into Benin box, beat his marker and slotted the ball past the keeper.
Three minutes into the second half Onyemaechi sent in a dangerous cross but Boniface failed to get a clean contact.
Lookman almost made it 2-0 in the 53rd minute after he was played through on goal but failed to beat a Benin defender after rounding the keeper.
Also Read: Troost-Ekong Favours Indigenous Coaches For Super Eagles Job
In the 62nd minute Boniface met a long pass from Lookman with a one-tome volley which went over the bar.
Nwabali was called into action on 65 minutes as he punched away a shot from Steve Mounier.
Benin went close on 74 minutes after an Eagles player gave the ball away in the middle but William Troost-Ekong cleared with his head.
Osimhen then made it 2-0 in the 79th minute as he volleyed in a cross from Wilfred Ndidi.
A minute later Osimhen almost got his second after he went through on goal but could not go round the keeper.
Lookman got his second of the game in the 83rd minute as he rose highest to head home a cross from Moses Simon.
Late in the game Osimhen was played through on goal but this time he was flagged for offside.
By James Agberebi
6 Comments
Bruno bia la baa.
Say Eguavoen is your daddy.
Outgoing and incoming African players of the year scoring
You guys should come off it, the guy is becoming selfish, he was fortunate to have scored those goals, he blew many chances in this game.
Fortunate to score two goals? Hian! Person drive dribble 3 defenders to score, then controlled his header for the second goal and you ar saying he was fortunate? No be who make attempt go score ? Nobody fit all these plastic fans Abeg
Imagine a Lookman, Osimhen and Madueke attack.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NbZMS5WoGDk
SA commentator screaming his head off because of Uganda.
The scream at 5:25 suppose become internet meme. Or phone ringtone.
LMAO!