Sports Minister John Enoh has urged the Super Eagles to continue their winning streak after Austin ‘Cerezo’ Eguavoen’s squad triumphed 3-0 over the ‘noisy neighbors,’ the Cheetahs of Benin Republic, in their opening group match of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
“Congratulations to the Super Eagles of Nigeria. Your performance against Benin Republic was impressive. You secured a 3-0 victory at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo. Bravo! Let’s keep soaring, Super Eagles!” he posted on his X handle.
Twin stars Ademola Lookman and Victor Osimhen shone brightly as the Super Eagles made a strong return to form with a commanding 3-0 win over the Cheetahs of Benin Republic on Matchday 1 of the 2025 AFCON qualifiers in Uyo on Saturday.
At the first blast of Egyptian referee Amin Mohamed Omar’s whistle, the Eagles had not won a qualifying match in seven games. And despite endeavour and some promising moves, they failed to rouse the near-capacity crowd until the tail end of the first period.
Deep into added in the half, Ballon d’Or nominee and Europa League final hat-trickster Ademola Lookman took matters entirely into his own hands.
Latching onto a floated ball that was read incorrectly by a defender, the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations showman beat three defenders on the trot and gently placed the ball beyond the reach of goalkeeper Marcel Dandjinou for Nigeria’s first goal.
Before then, Germany-based forward Victor Boniface had fluffled a number of opportunities, including when one-on-man with Dandjinou after a shot by Samuel Chukwueze was blocked by Cedric Hountondji.
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In the 14th minute, Lookman came close off a pass from the lively Chukwueze, and 12 minutes later, Chukwueze saw his promising lift from a free kick punched over the bar.
In the second half, Boniface missed another prime opportunity when Bruno Onyemaechi delivered a cross into the box. Additionally, in the 53rd minute, Lookman was unable to score from a one-on-one situation as Nigeria counter-attacked and faced Dandjinou.
The victory propelled the Super Eagles to the top of the table, following a 1-1 draw between Rwanda and Libya in Tripoli on Wednesday.
Next, the Eagles will face Rwanda’s Amavubi in Kigali on Tuesday afternoon, while Benin Republic will host Libya’s Mediterranean Knights in Abidjan.