Super Eagles captain William Troost-Ekong says the team is determined to pick all the three points against Benin Republic in their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier on Thursday to seal the ticket to the finals.

The game will take place at the Stade Felix Houphouet-Boigny in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, where Benin have adopted as their home ground.

But it is much more than such to Nigeria who lost the final of the 2023 AFCON to the Elephants of Cote d’Ivoire back in February at the venue, where they recorded some intriguing victories in the run to the final.

Nigeria go into the game on top of Group D with 10 points from four matches. A draw could still be a fair result for the Eagles, as it would be enough to pick one of the two slots in the group.

However, a win would without doubt cap an impressive campiagn so far. The Austin Eguavoen-led side are unbeaten in the qualifiers and particularly against the Cheetahs, they would hope to maintain their unbeaten run against them in AFCON qualifiers and further extend their overall record to seven games without a defeat.

Benin shocked Nigeria in June, in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers with a 2-1 triumph, with the Al-Kholood defender not in the squad under former Nigerian coach, Finidi George.

But Troost-Ekong who would be making his 75th appearance for the Eagles in the game, said he and his teammates have faced Benin in recent times and are aware of how good they are.

“The last game we played against Benin was in October if I’m correct, we won at home. We know Benin is a good team, Gernot Rohr was my national team coach for over five years.

“He knows the team very well, we’ve played against Benin several times, so this is going to be a difficult game,” he said at the pre-match press conference on Wednesday.

“But I think here at this Stadium where we have some amazing memories from earlier this year, we will be very ready, we feel at home here in Abidjan, yea.

“I’m confident that we can do the job by winning tomorrow ( Thursday).and that is what we are going out to do, but we know it is going to be a difficult game.

“So, we have to be at our best. What I’ve seen so far in training and the spirit in the camp has so far been amazing, though.”

Super Eagles’ interim head coach, Augustine Eguavoen has given a stern warning to Benin Republic and its manager, Gernot Rohr that Nigeria is a country that you don’t toy with.

Eguavoen issued this warning on Wednesday night during his pre-match press conference ahead of the Super Eagles’ 2025 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier against the Cheetahs of Benin Republic in Abidjan, Ivory Coast on Thursday night.

The Super Eagles’ gaffer added that he is aware Rohr knows a lot about his team, having managed them for more than five years from 2016 to 2021 but that doesn’t mean Nigeria will not defeat Benin.

“We have worked with Gernot Rohr for so many years, he was our head coach, a very good coach, no doubt. He knows us in and out, he is a part of us, we also know him inside and outside,” Eguavoen told reporters.

“We know what Rohr is capable of but you know Nigeria is a country that you don’t toy with. We respect our opponents but we play with the mindset that we want to win all our games.

“Well, that is easier said than done but we fight for every ball, we fight for every point and that exactly is what we want to do when we play against Benin Republic on Thursday.

“In respect to everything I just said, we should all have it at the back of our minds that Benin Republic is not a pushover but we will work hard to make sure we achieve our objectives.”

With 10 points from four matches, seven goals for and none against and top of their Group D, the Eagles will walk with an extra bounce into the Stade Felix Houphouet-Boigny in Abidjan.

The Super Eagles will target their fifth consecutive clean sheet in the 2025 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying encounter against neighbours, Benin Republic in Abidjan, Ivory Coast on Thursday evening.

Nigeria remains the frontrunners in Group D, showcasing solid performances that have seen them yet to concede a goal, having thrashed Benin 3-0 in the opener at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.

Victor Osimhen has said that the brace of goals he scored against Samsunspor during the weekend will boost his confidence for the Super Eagles’ 2025 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers against both Benin Republic and Rwanda.

Osimhen was highly instrumental to Galatasaray beating Samsunspor 3-2 in a Turkish Super Lig game at RAMS Park on Sunday with two goals to his name.

The 25-year-old Nigerian striker played a key role in securing the top-of-the-table clash for Galatasaray who are currently league leaders against surprising challengers, Samsunspor.

Osimhen opened the scoring just four minutes into the game with a precise header from Lucas Torreira’s cross, placing the ball into the top corner to the delight of the fans.

Samsunspor equalised early in the second half but Osimhen quickly restored Galatasaray’s lead five minutes later.

He capitalised on the goalkeeper’s failure to clear a cross, heading the loose ball into the net at the far post.

This marked Osimhen’s second brace in four days following his Europa League performance in a 3-1 victory against Tottenham Hotspur last Thursday.

With six goals in six league matches and eight goals in nine appearances since his loan spell began, Osimhen’s form continues to impress.

After his brace, both teams exchanged goals, but Osimhen’s efforts proved crucial in securing all three points for Galatasaray who extended their lead at the top of the league to six points.

Osimhen during an interview with the Galatasaray TV YouTube channel said his brace against Samsunspor will boost his confidence for the Super Eagles’ 2025 AFCON qualifiers against both Benin Republic and Rwanda.

Nigeria will visit Benin Republic in Abidjan, Ivory Coast on Thursday, November 14 before coming back home to play host to Rwanda at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State on Monday, November 18 to round off their AFCON qualifiers.

“The match was very difficult. We got a very important victory. We played against an opponent who knows what they are doing. I have a lot of respect for them,” Osimhen said.

“They played very well. We saw why they are in these places. It was very important for us to go into the national break with a victory. Not just for the leadership.

“We will go to the national teams. It was a confidence boost for there too. When we return, we will try to win every match again. We have a team that is strong enough to win every match.”

The Super Eagles striker also said that he is very happy at Galatasaray because the fans have been showing him great love and they were extraordinary against Samsunspor as well.

“I want to dedicate the victory to them as well. I thank them very much. I also dedicate my goals to Mauro Icardi,” he said referring to his injured teammate and fellow striker.

“Today was an important day for both Atatürk and Mauro. I dedicate my goals to them. He has always shown me love since I have been here. He treated me very well. He is also a very important figure for the team.

“We know that he will come back very strong. We trust him very much. He is a very important leader for the team, a very important character. I dedicate my wins and my goals to him.

“I know how important a day this is. I greet the Turkish people. Before I came to Turkey, I didn’t know much about this great person. After I came to Turkey, I talked about Atatürk with my teammates.

“There are huge photos of him everywhere. I tried to learn from everyone what he meant. Frankly, I have a lot of respect. He deserves much more respect.

“I think we need to do much more for him. I realized that he is truly a very important figure for history. I also feel this respect with his sazla.”

Joao Pereira will take over from Manchester United-bound Ruben Amorim as head coach of Sporting Lisbon, the Portuguese champions announced on Monday.

The 40-year-old will step up from his role as reserve-team boss following Amorim’s departure to Old Trafford.

Sporting staged a dramatic fightback from two goals down to win 4-2 at Braga on Sunday in Amorim’s final match in charge and maintain their 100-percent record in the Primeira Liga this season.

Pereira, a former Portugal right-back who enjoyed three spells at Sporting as a player, will hold his first press conference as boss later on Monday, Sporting said on social media.

Amorim left to take over at Man United following the sacking of Erik ten Hag after a golden spell in the Portuguese capital, taking Sporting to their first league title in 19 years in 2021 before regaining the trophy last season.

They also sit second in the Champions League table after thumping Manchester City 4-1 last week in Amorim’s last home game as coach.

Atalanta are very much desperate to retain the services of Ademola Lookman who has been one of their best signings ever and as such, the Italian Serie A club are ready to offer the attacker an improved €3.5m per year deal.

The Nigeria international has been instrumental in the club’s recent success since joining the club in 2022, attracting interest from top European clubs like Paris Saint-Germain, Barcelona, Arsenal, Real Madrid and Manchester United.

Lookman’s current contract runs until 2026 with an option for an additional year. However, Atalanta is keen to reward his outstanding performances with a new deal that would extend his stay until 2027 and increase his release clause. According to reports emanating from Italy, the club is prepared to double his current salary to around €3.5 million per year.

“Ademola Lookman could be about to double his money with a new contract at Atalanta. The new deal would be worth €3.5m a year plus bonuses and would keep him in Bergamo until 2027, reports Bergamo & Sport’s Luciana Rota,” according to a post on the official X account of Atalanta BC News.

During the summer, Lookman agreed to personal terms with French giants PSG, but the transfer ultimately fell through.

Despite the disappointment of missing out on a lucrative move away from his Serie A club, the former Charlton academy player has returned with renewed vigor, establishing himself as one of the league’s standout performers this season.

The Nigerian forward’s impressive form has also earned him recognition on the international stage. He recently finished 14th in the Ballon d’Or rankings and is a strong contender for the African Footballer of the Year award.

Lookman’s impact on Atalanta has been immense. He was instrumental in their historic Europa League triumph, scoring a hat-trick in the final against Bayer Leverkusen.

Lookman has so far reached his 13th goal involvement in the last 13 games across all competitions for Atalanta with the Nigerian having scored eight times and made five assists this season.

He has been in scintillating form since joining Atalanta from RB Leipzig in 2022 for €9.35m plus bonuses, amassing 40 goals and providing 23 assists in 91 competitive appearances for the Italian side.

Galatasaray manager, Okan Buruk has played down talks of Victor Osimhen sustaining another injury, explaining that the striker’s substitution against Tottenham Hotspur was due to fatigue.

Osimhen was on fire as he scored two goals which helped Galatasaray to secure a highly important 3-2 victory against ten-man Tottenham in a UEFA Europa League group encounter in Turkey on Thursday evening.

The Nigerian striker despite an earlier injury scare during the preparation for the game started against Tottenham and he justified his starting shirt by netting a brace within the space of eight minutes.

Yunus Akgun opened the scoring in the sixth minute, Tottenham got their equaliser in the 18th minute through William Lankshear.

Osimhen thereafter took over proceedings in the 31st minute, converting a precise pass from Dries Mertens.

Just eight minutes later after being set up once again by Mertens, the Super Eagles striker got his brace with a controlled volley that left Tottenham goalkeeper, Fraser Foster helpless.

Osimhen had a few more goal scoring chances to bag a hat-trick but he fell short with a header while he also saw a shot blocked before coming off in the 80th minute much to the disappointment of the home crowd.

However, Galatasaray manager, Buruk in a post-match press conference clarified that Osimhen’s substitution was not a tactical decision but rather a response to the player’s fatigue.

Buruk added that the Nigerian international had initiated the substitution request due to exhaustion.

“We scored here. Maybe we could have reached 7-8 goals in the second half. We missed very clear opportunities. After that, we got tired. We changed Mertens. He had received a yellow card, we were afraid of him (getting a red card),” Buruk said.

“Then Osimhen wanted to go out. Of course, the crowd reacted here. Osimhen got tired and wanted to go out himself. He had trained for two days. We have another match in three days.”

The manager further emphasized that Osimhen’s limited training time (just two days) influenced the decision to substitute him, ensuring he would be fresh for their upcoming league match against Samsunspor on Sunday.

Since joining the Turkish giants late in the summer on loan from Italian side Napoli, Osimhen has had 10 goals contributions (six goals and four assists) in eight games for Galatasaray.