AFCON qualifiers: Lookman nets brace as Nigeria whip Benin Republic 3-0

Ademola Lookman scored two goals while Victor Osimhen added one as the Super Eagles of Nigeria defeated Benin Republic in the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025 qualifiers on Saturday.

Lookman, who was recently nominated for the 2024 Ballon d’Or awards, scored in the first and second half of the game at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital.

Osimhen, on the other hand, came off the bench to score a goal for the Super Eagles.

The Super Eagles who had lost 1-2 to Benin Republic in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire in June took the lead in added time of first half.

Lookman put Nigeria ahead after going past four defenders before placing beyond the goalkeeper.

Osimhen who replaced Victor Boniface in the 72nd minute, scored the second goal for the Super Eagles in the 78th minute, slicing in a well-calculated pass from Wilfred Ndidi.

AFCON 2025 qualifiers: Nigeria draw Benin Republic, Rwanda

Lookman went on to add the third goal in the match’s closing minutes to comfortably place the Super Eagles in their group ahead of their next match on Tuesday in Kigali.

With the victory, the Super Eagles have put a stop to their three-match winless run at home after thrashing Sao Tome and Principe 6-0 in September 2023.

Nigeria will take on hosts Rwanda in their next group game in Kigali on Tuesday.

The Super Eagles are in Group D of the AFCON 2025 qualifying table with Benin Republic, Libya, and Rwanda.

The six-match qualifying matches have been scheduled for September, October, and November.

The Star