Ademola Lookman lifts Super Eagles to batter Benin in winning start to 2025 AFCON qualifiers

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Ademola Lookman scored twice for the Super Eagles to defeat Benin 3-0 in Uyo today to get their qualifying campaign to the 2025 AFCON off to a winning start.

Nigeria thus shot to the top of Group D after Rwanda and Libya played out a 1-1 draw in Tripoli in the other group game.

On Tuesday, the Super Eagles will be guests of Rwanda in Kigali.

It was a sweet revenge for the three-time African champions after they lost 2-1 to Benin in a 2026 World Cup qualifier in June

Man of the Match Ademola Lookman made up for wasting two big chances to put the Super Eagles in front in first half stoppage time.

Substitute Victor Osimhen doubled Nigeria’s advantage in the 78th minute, when he superbly met a deflected pass inside the box.

Lookman got his brace in the 83rd minute when he headed home a clever chip by Moses Simon to make it 3-0.

Nigeria dominated the first half, but it was not until added time that they finally broke the deadlock.

Lifted by the stoppage time lead, the home team pushed forward for more goals soon after the interval.

In the 52nd minute, Lookman got to the end of a long ball, beat the goalkeeper but only to be stopped by a defender.

Ten minutes later, Victor Boniface let fly a powerful volley from the edge of the box, but it missed the mark not by much.

But three minutes later, goalkeeper Nwabali was called to keep out a goal-bound shot fired by captain Steve Mounie as Benin continued to chase the game.

In the 80th minute, Osimhen was set through on goal by a delightful long ball, but somehow he could not beat the Benin goalkeeper.

The Super Eagles had killed off the fight from the Cheetahs of Benin.

Super Eagles Starting XI vs Benin (3-4-3)

Nwabali – Calvin Bassey (Olisa Ndah 63), Semi Ajayi, William Ekong (Captain) – Ola Aina, Wilfred Ndidi (Onyedika 77),Bruno Onyemaechi , Alex Iwobi(Dele-Bashiru 63) – Samuel Chukwueze (Moses Simon 63), Ademola Looksman, Victor Boniface (Victor Osimhen 72)


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