The Super Eagles of Nigeria will get their 2025 AFCON qualifiers underway this weekend with a stern test against Benin Republic at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo on Saturday. Interim coach Augustine Eguavoen will have hopes of getting Nigeria back to winning ways following some difficult months.
The Super Eagles have passed through turbid waters since they finished second at the 2023 AFCON, managing to win only one of their last four games. The sacking of coach Jose Peseiro, Finidi George’s brief spell, and uncertainty over who should be head coach have all disrupted the team’s momentum.
This will, however, be an intriguing match since the Benin team will be managed by a familiar foe in former Super Eagles coach Gernot Rohr, who knows the Nigerian team inside out. The Nigerian team will have to do without the injured defender Bright Osayi-Samuel, while fitness issues mean that Victor Osimhen may not recover in time for this match.
With the likes of William Troost-Ekong and Samuel Chukwueze back in the lineup, Nigeria should dominate the game despite its 2-1 loss to Benin in the reverse fixture. Benin is, however, expected to be surprisingly dangerous through counter-attacks and set pieces.
Nigeria comes into the match as favorites, and a win in Uyo will put them on their way properly to qualifying for AFCON.
