Nigeria started their AFCON Qualifiers with a relatively comfortable 3-0 victory over Benin at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo.
Interim coach Austin Eguavoen used a 3-4-3 formation and made a number of big changes to the team compared to the squad which took the field in June. The main differences were Bruno Onyemaechi and William Troost-Ekong being reintroduced to the starting lineup, with Victor Boniface leading the attack.
Nigeria had an early scare when Calvin Bassey collided with Steve Mounié in the opening minutes but the Fulham defender was able to stay on the field. Nigeria continued to press and created their first chance in the 11th minute via an Ademola Lookman corner but Boniface was unable to convert. Lookman got the next opportunity just a few minutes later but narrowly missed a straightforward chance set up by Samuel Chukwueze. Chukwueze tested Benin’s goalkeeper Marcel Dandjinou in the 26th minute with a blistering free-kick, but Dandjinou managed to tip over the bar.
For Benin, their first real chance came in the 40th minute but Stanley Nwabali was in the right position to keep the ball out with a good save. It wasn’t until two minutes into extra time for the half that the deadlock was broken. It was Lookman with a brilliant solo effort which saw him dribble past numerous defenders before pushing the ball home.
The second half almost had Nigeria take a 2-0 advantage when Iwobi’s pass gave Lookman a free route through the keeper, but the covering defender denied him his second goal. Boniface then had a chance to score from a Lookman pass but was off target.
Mounié had a couple of close attempts to equalize for Benin, but Nwabali was able to keep the ball out with crucial saves. Substitute Victor Osimhen came in to double Nigeria’s lead in the 78th minute with an acrobatic finish from a deflected pass. Osimhen almost added his second of the day but couldn’t quite beat the goalkeeper, hitting the post.
The match was secured with a third goal via Lookman who headed in a cross from Moses Simon just 8 minutes before stoppage time. The match ended 3-0, which gave Benin its 14th defeat against Nigeria.
Nigeria had 13 shots on goal compared to the 6 shots of Benign and controlled the ball 57% of the time. The team did rack up 2 yellow cards however which could play a part later in the tournament.
Nigeria currently sit at the top of the Group D table with three points. Behind them are Rwanda and Libya who tied in the matchup over the weekend 1-1. With the loss, Benin are at the bottom of Group but will have a chance to get on the board against Libya on Wednesday.
The result also means that interim coach Augustine Eguavoen begins another stint with Nigeria with a convincing victory against a team that defeated Nigeria 2-1 in a World Cup qualifier in June. Eguavoen was put in charge of the team after an agreement between the Nigeria Football Federation and German coach Bruno Labbadia failed at the last minute due to tax issues.
In their next AFCON qualifier match, Nigeria will face off against Rwanda at the Amahoro National Stadium in Kigali. With home field advantage, Rwanda will be hoping they can stand up to the mighty Nigerian offense and pull off an upset. Based on past matches, Nigeria holds the advantage winning one of their last four games while the other three ended in draws.
Starting Lineups
Nigeria XI: Nwabali; Aina, Ekong, Ajayi, Bassey, Onyemaechi; Ndidi, Iwobi; Lookman, Chukwueze, Boniface.
Benin XI: Dandjinou; Moumini, Houtondji, Tijani, Kiki; Imourane, D’Almeida, Dokou; Olaitan, Dossou, Mounie.
