Super Eagles goalkeeper, Stanley Nwabali has expressed excitement with the team’s victory over the Republic of Benin in a 2025 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualification match.

Nwabali said this in a post he shared on his X account on Sunday morning following Nigeria’s 3-0 trouncing of Benin Republic at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State on Saturday.

Atalanta attacker, Ademola Lookman came up with a brace while Victor Osimhen scored the other goal to help the Super Eagles exact vengeance on the Gernot Rohr-led Benin Republic who had beaten them 2-1 in a 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier in June.

“Great team performance. Important three solid points and clean sheet accomplished. Next!,” the goalkeeper wrote on his X account.

Nwabili added another clean sheet to his record for the Super Eagles as the Chippa United goalkeeper of South Africa doing his best against the Republic of Benin despite his defense also remaining very compact.

The shotstopper as usual was composed all through the game against the Beninoise and was equal to the task when called upon to make some important saves.

He is already looking forward to the Super Eagles’ second match of the 2025 AFCON qualification series against Rwanda in Kigali on Tuesday, September 10, 2024.

Super Eagles captain, William Troost-Ekong has expressed a great belief in the team’s attackers to always come good while urging the side to create enough goalscoring chances during their matches.

Troost-Ekong said this on Saturday night during the post-match press conference following Nigeria’s 3-0 trouncing of the Republic of Benin in a 2025 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualification match.

The Super Eagles began their 2025 AFCON qualification campaign on a winning note after easily dispatching Benin Republic at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.

Atalanta attacker, Ademola Lookman came up with a brace while Victor Osimhen scored the other goal to help the Super Eagles exact vengeance on the Gernot Rohr-led Benin Republic who had beaten them 2-1 in a 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier in June.

With the Super Eagles giving back joy to millions of Nigerian football fans all across the world with the win over the Cheetahs, Troost-Ekong speaking to reporters after the match expressed his belief in the team’s attackers to shine even brighter in subsequent games.

“We respect the Republic of Benin because the last time we played against them, they won the game,” the central defender who had a commanding game said.

“But like I said only on Friday that we have great belief in our team, we also have great belief in our coach (Augustine Eguavoen).

“He is like a family member who has come back to us now and we knew that we had to take the responsibility.

“Also, I think with the attacking talent that we have, we don’t have to name them, everybody knows who they are, they all played very well and we, the defenders also did our best to keep a clean sheet.

“We also did our best to bury most of the goalscoring chances that we created and I have great belief in our attackers to always come good if we create enough chances.

“Also, the performance we churned out against Benin Republic is a good indication of where we we are heading to and the first step of many that we will take to qualify for Morocco 2025.”

The central defender upon his return to the Super Eagles set-up for the first time in seven months, having last featured for the team against Ivory Coast in the final of the 2023 AFCON in February 2024 played like he never left and formed a decent centre-back trio with Semi Ajayi and Cavin Bassey.

Troost-Ekong appears to be like fine wine which becomes better as it ages with the centre-half showing why he deserved to have been named the 2023 AFCON Best Player of the Tournament award with an impressive display against Benin Republic.

In an electrifying match, Ademola Lookman spearheaded a dominant 3-0 victory for the Super Eagles, putting them at the top of their group.

Lookman opened the scoring in the first half, finding the back of the net to give Nigeria a 1-0 lead by halftime.

As the game progressed, it remained tight until the 72nd minute when star striker Victor Osimhen was introduced to replace Victor Boniface.

It took only five minutes for Osimhen, currently on loan at Galatasaray, to make his impact felt.

Pouncing on a loose ball, he effortlessly slotted in Nigeria’s second goal, extending the lead to 2-0.Ademola Lookman wasn’t done yet.

In the 82nd minute, he scored his second goal of the night, sealing a convincing 3-0 win for the Super Eagles.

The result secured Nigeria’s place at the top of their group, leaving fans thrilled and hopeful for the team’s upcoming fixtures.

The comprehensive victory highlighted Nigeria’s attacking depth and showcased Lookman’s impressive form, further cementing their status as favorites moving forward.

Super Eagles skipper, William Troost-Ekong has said that he and his teammates want to make sure they are in Morocco 2025 for the next African Cup of Nations (AFCON).

The central defender said this on Friday when he appeared for the pre-match press conference of Nigeria’s 2025 AFCON qualifier against Benin Republic.

The Super Eagles will kick off their 2025 AFCON qualification series with a game against Benin Republic at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State on Saturday.

“It is a great privilege for us to be here again and we are very excited about this new 2025 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualification campaign,” Troost-Ekong said.

“None of us needs to be reminded once again of the joy we had some months ago when we came second at the 2023 AFCON and we all understand that this new qualifiers are very important.

“We want to make sure that we are there in Morocco 2025 and that starts with Saturday’s qualification match against the Republic of Benin.

“We all know that it is going to be a long journey getting to Morocco 2025 but we want to do much better than we did in Ivory Coast some months back.

“We, however, know that this dream of ours will start with winning our qualification matches but we are really focused on achieving this.

“I was only telling the boss, Augustine Eguavoen that the boys are ready to put in their best with everything going in the right direction in camp.”

Super Eagles Interim manager, Augustine Eguavoen has said that the team is only focused on winning their 2025 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier against Benin Republic on Saturday.

The Super Eagles will kick off their 2025 AFCON qualification series with a game against Benin Republic at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.

Eguavoen speaking at the pre-match press conference on Friday said he and his players understand that Nigerian football fans are expecting a lot from them even as they are focused on beating Benin.

“Nigerians have always been known to set high expectations. Every team brings their best because we love the game and winning is our only goal,” he said.

Eguavoen was also asked if he felt that the AFCON qualifier against Benin Republic is a revenge match with the Gernot Rohr-led side having beaten Nigeria in a 2026 World Cup qualification encounter in June.

“Starting with the match against Benin Republic on Saturday, nobody is mentioning anything about revenge,” he said.

“Our goal is three points and then, we aim for another three points in Kigali on Tuesday that will put us in good stead for qualification.

“I am very confident that we will scale through these two games,” the interim Super Eagles coach stated.

Eguavoen added that it is a new journey for him and the Super Eagles but the players are in good spirit with Nigeria playing at home in Uyo.

“We respect people, we respect our opponents and we expect the same thing but three points are very crucial for us and that is what we are aiming for.

“This game comes with pressure as the Super Eagles are always expected to perform very well against any team they face but we are relaxed.

“The mood is good and we are relaxed as we are playing at home. Nobody comes to our home and dictates what will happen to us. Definitely, we are under pressure but I can also say that we are relaxed.”

Benin Republic head coach, Gernot Rohr, acknowledged that the Super Eagles possess higher quality players, making it challenging for his team to secure a victory in their upcoming match.

Rohr, who led Benin Republic to a 2-1 win over Nigeria in a 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier in June, admitted that replicating that success will be difficult.

He noted the Super Eagles’ strong performance is expected, especially with the team keen to impress their home fans after recent poor results.

“As a coach, knowing the opponents is an advantage, but it doesn’t make it easy,” Rohr said at a press conference ahead of the game.

“We are aware they have better players and play for bigger clubs, unlike our team.

However, with our young players, I’m optimistic we can perform well.

“The 71-year-old coach acknowledged that the Super Eagles are the favorites to win but saw being considered outsiders as a potential advantage.

“We have a chance tomorrow because we know we are the underdogs, but even being an outsider can work to our benefit,” Rohr explained.

The 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match is scheduled for 5 pm at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo.