Ademola Lookman helps Super Eagles beat Benin Republic days after Ballon d'Or nomination

• The Super Eagles defeated Benin Republic in their AFCON 2025 qualifying opening match
• Ballon d'Or nominee Ademola Lookman scored the opener in the additional minute of the first half
• Victor Osimhen came off the bench to score his first goal since AFCON 2023 on his first game back

The Super Eagles of Nigeria kicked off their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign with a 1-0 win over the Cheetahs of Benin Republic at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium, Uyo.

Atalanta attacker Ademola Lookman, who received a Ballon d'Or nomination during the week scored the only goal of the match in the additional minutes of the first half.

Ademola Lookman scored three goals for Nigeria at AFCON 2023. Photo by Franck Fife/AFP.
Source: Getty Images

Lookman drove in from the left wing, with Victor Boniface making a decoy run to take out two defenders, allowing the former England youth international slot past the goalkeeper.

The Eagles wasted a plethora of chances in the first half including ones from Victor Boniface and Samuel Chukwueze, who completed the front three in Austin Eguavoen’s 3-4-3 setup.

Boniface expectedly led the line ahead of Taiwo Awoniyi, who had been dealing with injuries, and Victor Osimhen, who arrived late in camp after completing his loan move to Galatasaray.

Osimhen came off the bench to add the second goal, his first goal for the country on his first game back since AFCON 2023 in Ivory Coast.

The Galatasaray forward wasted a chance to score his second minutes later before in-form attacker Lookman added his second of the day, Nigeria's third to avenge the 2-1 loss in June.

Source: Legit.ng