Nigeria kicked off their TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations 2025 qualifying campaign in style with a dominant 3-0 victory over Benin on Saturday.
Star forwards Ademola Lookman and Victor Osimhen were the driving forces behind the Super Eagles’ triumph at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, as they combined to ensure a comfortable start to the qualification process.
From the opening whistle, Nigeria asserted their dominance, with Lookman finding the back of the net in the 23rd minute.
Demonstrating composure in front of goal, he slotted the ball past the Benin goalkeeper, putting the Super Eagles in the driver’s seat. Benin struggled to handle Nigeria’s attacking threat, and the pressure mounted as the match progressed.
Victor Osimhen, known for his lethal finishing, doubled Nigeria’s advantage in the 55th minute with a sensational solo effort.
The Napoli striker picked up the ball near the edge of the box, weaving through defenders before unleashing a powerful strike that sent the home crowd into a frenzy.
Osimhen’s goal was a testament to his skill and form, leaving the Benin defense with no answers.
As Benin’s Cheetahs attempted to mount a response, they found it difficult to break through Nigeria’s organized defense. Meanwhile, Nigeria continued to press forward, and Lookman put the result beyond doubt in the 78th minute with his second goal of the night.
The winger was clinical once again, finishing calmly after a swift counterattack, ensuring a comprehensive 3-0 victory for the Super Eagles.
Elsewhere, Cameroon secured a hard-fought 1-0 win over Namibia in Garoua, thanks to Vincent Aboubakar’s decisive goal in the 65th minute.
The Indomitable Lions were tested throughout the match, but Aboubakar pounced on a rebound to give his side a winning start in their qualifying campaign. Namibia had opportunities to equalize, with Deon Hotto coming close in stoppage time, but Cameroon held firm to take all three points.
In Nouakchott, Mauritania also began their AFCON 2025 qualifying journey on a positive note with a 1-0 victory over Botswana. The match appeared to be heading for a goalless draw until Sidi Amar broke the deadlock in the 84th minute.
His powerful strike from the edge of the box gave Mauritania a valuable three points, as they dominated possession but struggled to break down Botswana’s defense for much of the game.
With their opening wins, Nigeria, Cameroon, and Mauritania have all made solid starts to their AFCON qualifying campaigns, setting the stage for an exciting race to secure a spot in the 2025 tournament.
