Super Eagles of Nigeria thrash Benin Republic 3-0 in their first game in Group D of the 2025 AFCON qualifiers in Uyo on Saturday. Ademola Lookman was in target twice, while Victor Osimhen scored a goal.
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.
Lookman opened the scoring in first half stoppage time as he drove into Benin box, beat his marker and slotted the ball past the keeper.
Osimhen then doubled the lead for Nigeria in the 79th minute as he volleyed in a cross from Leicester City midfielder Wilfred Ndidi. Osimhen almost got his second a minute later, after he went through on goal but could not go round the keeper.
Lookman got his brace in the 83rd minute as he rose highest to head home a cross from Nantes winger Moses Simon.
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.
Coach Augustine Eguavoen tutored team will lock horns with Rwanda in Kigali in their match-day 2 fixture on Tuesday, September 10.