Super Eagles of Nigeria Saturday won their first competitive game since the February 2023 African Cup of Nations by beating the Cheetahs of Benin Republic 3-0 in the 2025 AFCON qualifier played at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.
Ademola Lookman scored a brace and Victor Osimhen put a smile of the faces Nigerian fans who had expected the Super Eagles to give a big response to their embarrassing runs in the World Cup qualifiers; they lost to the Cheetahs 2-1 and are sitting second place from bottom in the World Cup qualifying table.
Lookman opened scoring in added time of the first half after goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali made some daring saves to keep the Super Eagles in the game. It was not a reflection of the superior possession that Super Eagles had in the game, Victor Boniface and Samuel Chukwueze missed some scoring chances.
But Lookman calmed down nerves when pounced on a loose ball raced into the Cheetahs’ area taking out two men before slotting into the net. It was remider of his goal against Boniface’s Bayer Leverkusen in the final of the 2024 Europa Cup.
In the second half Benin Republic poured out looking for the goal that will encourage another win, but the Super Eagles backline of William Troost-Ekong, Semi Ajayi and Calvin Bassey would not be caught napping this time around. With a four-man midfield wall of Ola Aina, Wilfred Ndidi, Alex Iowbi and Bruno Oyemachi there was no easy route for Gernot Rohr and his men.
Victor Osimhen came into the fray for Boniface in the 72nd minute and he hadn’t spilled much sweat before he smashed home a cross from Ndidi in the 78th minute, killing off the game. But the Super Eagles were not done, Lookman nicked in his second goal in the 83rd minute to mark a remarkable comeback for the Super Eagles.
They travel to Kigali Tuesday to play the other group D qualifier against Rwanda.
