Lookman, Osimhen Goals Finish Benin At Uyo Sizzler, 3-0
Super Eagles striker Ademola Lookman netted two goals to help Nigeria clinch a 3-0 victory at home against Benin Republic in their opening 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier on Saturday.
While Atalanta winger Ademola Lookman scored a brace, Victor Osimhen came in as a substitute to net net the other goal.
Nigeria broke the deadlock on the stroke of half-time with Lookman’s fine individual effort, as he cut in from the wing before striking home.
Osimhen, in his first run out this season after moving from Napoli to Galatasaray on loan last week, swept home the second goal in the 78th minute.
He was left unmarked in front of goal and tucked away a deflected cross from Wilfred Ndidi.
Lookman added the third five minutes later with a clever angled header from Moses Simon’s cross as Nigeria gained a measure of revenge for their 2-1 loss in Benin in a World Cup qualifier three months ago.
Lookman was the only African to be named earlier in the week among the 30 candidates for the Ballon d’Or, on the back of his hat trick for Atalanta in May’s Europa League final and his role in helping Nigeria to the Cup of Nations decider in the Ivory Coast in February.
The Super Eagles had Austin Eguavoen in charge as caretaker coach after last week’s announcement of the appointment of former Germany international Bruno Labbadia proved premature.
Qualifiers for the 2025 finals in Morocco continue over the next three days, after which each of the 48 participating countries will have played two matches.
The Super Eagles will be away to Rwanda in their next game on Tuesday.
Nigeria top Group D of the AFCON qualifiers with all three points from the first match of the series, while Benin Republic are rooted to the bottom.
