Nigeria started their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualifying campaign on the right foot, defeating Benin 3-0 at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo on Saturday night.

Star forwards Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman (two goals each) split the goals as the Super Eagles finished first in Group D with three points.

Rwanda and Libya have a point each after their draw, while the Cheetahs complete the quartet with zero points.

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Nigeria started the stronger of the two teams and missed out on a couple of good chances in the opening quarter hour, with Samuel Chukwueze and Ademola Lookman both failing to trouble Benin goalkeeper Marcel Dandjinou.

The 27th minute saw Chukwueze’s straight shot from a free kick push the Cheetahs’ first player into a noteworthy stop.

Lookman’s unstoppable shot, which he rocketed past two defenders and beyond Dandjinou’s reach, gave the Super Eagles the lead in injury time at the end of the first half.

The Atalanta attacker had a fantastic chance to increase the lead for the home team early in the second half, but he was unable to finish after circling the custodian.

Veteran attacker Steve Mounie had a chance to tie the score on minute 64, but he sent his attempt right into Nwabali’s arms, relieving Nigeria’s defence.

And in the 78th and 83rd minutes, respectively, replacement Victor Osimhen and Wilfried Ndidi combined to score two goals apiece, giving the home team the lead.

Lookman then finished off his brace with a neat finish after receiving a feed from Moses Simon.

On Tuesday, September 10, the teams will resume play in Group D, with Benin hosting Libya in neutral Abidjan (Ivory Coast) and Nigeria travelling to Rwanda in Kigali.