The Super Eagles of Nigeria started their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers on a very good note with convincing win over Benin Republic.
Atalanta forward and 2024 Ballon D’or nominee Ademola Lookman was the star of the match as he bagged a brace in the match.
The encounter between the two West African nations was quite keenly contested especially in the second half but the goals made the difference on the night.
Ademola Lookman gave the Super Eagles the lead with the last kick in the first half as he dribbles his way into the goal area from the flanks before burying the ball into the bottom left corner.
The second half started with Gernot Rohr’s Benin Republic piling preasure on Super Eagles defense as they began to dominate.
Stanley Nwabali was called into action a couple of times as the Cheetars tried to restore parity but the Chippa United goalkeeper kept the Super Eagles in the game.
Victor Osimhen came on the 70th minute for Victor Boniface and made an almost instant impact as he doubled the lead from a brilliant bicycle kick effort.
Wilfred Ndidi’s pass found Osimhen in space before the new Galatasaray man scored with a sublime technical effort to score his 21st goal in the colors of the national team.
Ademola Lookman bagged his brace on the night via a header from Moses Simon’s cross after the Nantes wide man went pass his marker on the touchline.
The match ended 3-0 in favour of the Super Eagles as they start the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers on a very good note.
The Super Eagles will take on Rwanda on Tuesday in Kigali as they look to get another win in the qualification series.
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