A brace from Balon d’Or nominee Ademola Lookman and Victor Osimhen led Nigeria to a comfortable 3-0 win over Benin Republic in a AFCON 2025 qualifier.
Coach Augustine Eguavoen took over the coachless team and he led them over the Cheetahs of Benin Republic at the Godswill Akpabio stadium in Uyo.
The compact nature of Benin Republic means Nigeria couldn’t make use of its early dominance in the game.
With the first half coming to a close, Ademola Lookman found a way out.
Ademola Lookman slices through the Beninoise defence and fires home to give the hosts the lead.
The Super Eagles went into halftime with the lead.
On resumption, the Eagles continued the dominance but a raft of changes unsettled them leading to the Benin Republic getting two chances.
Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, Olisa Ndah and Moses Simon came into the game for Alex Iwobi, Calvin Bassey and Samuel Chukwueze.
Talisman, Steve Mounie couldn’t beat Stanley Nwabali in goal for Nigeria keeping the tie at a slim 1-0 lead for Nigeria.
One more swap by coach Eguavoen involving Osimhen coming in for Victor Boniface gave room for Nigeria’s second.
Victor Osimhen announces himself with a sublime finish, a volley to double the lead for the Super Eagles.
After conceding the second goal, the game opened up as the Gernot Rohr-led Benin Republic came out looking for goals.
Meanwhile, the decision provided Ademola Lookman with his second of the game.
The only African Balon d’Or nominee’s glancing header off a Moses Simon cross beyond the goalkeeper for Nigeria’s third.
Furthermore, the Super Eagles will next face Rwanda in the second group game of the AFCON 2025 qualifier.
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Lookman and osimhen are playing for Nigeria God bless them