Nigeria hopes to start their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualification series strong when they visit Benin in a West African rivalry on Saturday at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo.

This will be the second encounter between the two teams in as many months; the first came in June for a World Cup qualifying match, which the visitors won 2-1.

Nigeria, who lost this match for just the second time ever back in June, will be looking for retribution when they take the pitch on Saturday.

Read Also:AFCON 2025: Joseph Painstil missing as Ghana arrive in Morocco for Niger battle

Since the German took over as head coach in February 2023, the Cheetahs have won three of their last twelve games, drawn four, and lost five.

But the first victory was given by CAF because Rwanda used an ineligible player in an AFCON 2023 qualifying match against Beninese.

The other two victories, however, have come in their past two games, indicating a trend they will be hoping to continue when they meet the Super Eagles again.

Benin has never won a game in Nigeria, having lost 2-1 during their lone visit there in 2019 for an AFCON qualifier.

However, with Rohr’s experience playing for Nigeria and their previous victory, the Cheetahs will be feeling more confident than ever heading into this match.

Here is how both team line up

Nigeria Starting XI

Nwabali, Ekong, Ajayi, Bassey, Aina, Onyemaechi, Iwobi, Ndidi, Chukwueze, Lookman, Boniface

Benin Starting XI