AFCON Qualifiers: Super Eagles maul Benin to go top

AFCON Qualifiers: Super Eagles maul Benin to go top as Victor Osimhen score while Ademola Lookman grabs a brace

Ademola Lookman celebrates after handing Nigeria the lead on Saturday at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo. Nigeria beat Benin 3-0. (Photo credit: CAF Online)

The Super Eagles of Nigeria rolled back the years to deliver a masterclass against the Benin Republic on Saturday in their 2026 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo.

The Super Eagles went into the game with a burden of expectation following their recent woes. 

With a 2-1 loss away to Benin Republic three months ago, labouring hard to ensure lighting doesn’t strike on the same spot meant everything to Nigerians.

Interim coach Austin Eguavoen named a strong starting lineup, which features a return for Nottingham Forest defender Ola Aina and skipper William Troost Ekong; 2024 Ballon d’Or nominee Ademola Lookman returns on the left, with Samuel Chukwueze and Victor Boniface completing the front three.

It was a slow start to the game for the Super Eagles, and fans were beginning to get agitated with many loose passes and purposeless buildups. 

It paid off at the death in the first half when Ademola Lookman put Nigeria in front.

Deep into the added time of the first half, the Atalanta winger broke free from two defenders and fired one into the net, a moment of relief for the home fans who were beginning to fear the worst.

The second half was more of a consolidation for the home side than anything else.

The visitors struggled to get close to the trickery of the Super Eagles, and it soon evolved into goals as the gulf in class paid off for the home side.

Galatasaray's new striker Victor Osimhen came on for Victor Boniface in the 76th minute and didn't take time to register himself on the score sheet. 

Wilfred Ndidi's diagonal lob met a brilliant Osimhen volley, leaving the Benin keeper helpless.

Another substitute Moses Late in the game, Simon sent a cross into the box, which met the head of the in-form Lookman, making it two goals to three for the Super Eagles. 

It was an emphatic result for Nigeria to rise to the top of the group.