The Super Eagles of Nigeria are set to begin their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers on a high note as they prepare to host Benin at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, on Saturday.
Three days later, they will travel to Kigali for their second match, where they will face Rwanda.
Despite an impressive run in the 2023 AFCON earlier in 2024, which saw Nigeria reach the final under the guidance of Jose Peseiro, the months that followed have been challenging.
In that tournament, the Super Eagles took the lead in the final but ultimately lost 2-1 to hosts Côte d’Ivoire. Since then, not only has Peseiro departed from his role, but the team’s ability to secure victories has seemingly vanished.
As three-time African champions, Nigeria is eager to make a strong case for another title at Morocco 2025, especially after narrowly missing out in the last edition.
Their journey begins against Benin, with the visiting side coached by former Super Eagles boss, Gernot Rohr. Rohr, who managed Nigeria from 2016 to 2021, will be making a return to familiar territory, bringing a unique level of insight into the Nigerian squad.
Meanwhile, the Nigeria Football Federation made headlines with the appointment of Austin Eguavoen, tasked with leading the team through the next set of qualifiers after a series of administrative missteps in finding a permanent head coach.
Eguavoen, who has previously worked with many of the players, brings a tactical familiarity that should ease the transition as the team seeks to rediscover its winning mentality.
“Our objective is clear: to win both matches and claim six points. The players are committed to achieving this goal,” Eguavoen told *thenff.com*, expressing confidence that the Super Eagles can finally secure a long-overdue victory, their first in nearly six months.
Key players like William Troost-Ekong, Victor Osimhen, and Moses Simon are eager to make an impact after missing previous games due to injury. Eguavoen emphasized that their focus is on securing maximum points in both matches, rather than seeking revenge against any opponent.
The match against Benin kicks off at 5 p.m. on Saturday, and despite Nigeria’s recent struggles, they remain favorites to win. However, Rohr’s in-depth knowledge of the Super Eagles’ strengths and weaknesses could present a challenge for the home side.
In their last encounter, Benin pulled off a surprise 2-1 victory over Nigeria at a neutral venue in Ivory Coast. Although Nigeria dominated that game, they struggled to convert their chances. With the return of key players and Eguavoen’s aggressive attacking approach, the Super Eagles are expected to turn the tide this time around.
Nigeria’s recent form has been inconsistent, managing just one win, two losses, and a draw in their last four matches.
Benin, on the other hand, has lost only one of their previous five games, showing a more solid run of form leading up to this fixture.
Despite a largely healthy squad, Bright Osayi-Samuel will miss the double-header due to an injury picked up while on club duty. He has been replaced by Benjamin Tanimu, a young talent who recently signed with Crawley Town in League One.
Additionally, Osimhen’s participation remains uncertain, as he has not played a match since June due to ongoing discussions about his club future.
Terem Moffi is a long-term absentee, having suffered an ACL injury before the season began. In his absence, players like Kelechi Iheanacho, Samuel Chukwueze, Simon, Taiwo Awoniyi, and Victor Boniface are expected to lead the attack. Ademola Lookman, who was recently nominated for the Ballon d’Or, will also be pivotal in Nigeria’s forward line.
Osimhen, though arriving late to camp, is unlikely to play the full 90 minutes due to his lack of match fitness. Awoniyi, brimming with confidence, expressed his excitement for the upcoming match, telling reporters in Uyo, “For us, it is something big when it comes to playing for the Super Eagles. I think we have what it takes to win every game in Africa. It is just about putting everything together and playing for the country with pride.”
Troost-Ekong, who now plays for Saudi club Al Khalood, echoed the same enthusiasm.
“The mood in the camp is very good, we’re excited about this game, and we want to be in Morocco (for the AFCON),” the centre-back shared. “We will do that by winning games to qualify. The boys are in the right frame of mind, and I have liked what I have seen in training,” he added
Despite acknowledging Nigeria’s status as favorites, Benin’s coach, Rohr, remains optimistic about his team’s chances.
“As a coach, it is an advantage to know the opponents, but it does not mean it will be easy,” Rohr stated during his pre-match press conference. “We know they have the better players, we don’t have the players in the big clubs like Nigeria. As a team, we have young players now, and I’m very optimistic that we can do something well.”
Benin’s line-up may be missing a few key players, including Mohamed Tijani, who is battling a persistent injury. Nevertheless, Rohr’s team is expected to play conservatively, absorbing pressure while looking for counter-attacking opportunities.
Set-pieces may also prove crucial for Benin’s strategy, but Nigeria’s home advantage is likely to make it difficult for them to replicate their previous upset.
Possible line-up for Nigeria:
Stanley Nwabili; William Troost-Ekong, Calvin Bassey, Ola Aina, Bruno Onyemaechi; Wilfred Ndidi, Alex Iwobi, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru; Victor Osimhen, Samuel Chukwueze, Ademola Lookman.
Possible line-up for Benin:
Marcel Dandjinou; Abdoul Moumini, Cedric Hountondji, Yohan Roche, David Kiki; Sessi D’Almeida, Jodel Dossou, Douko Dodo, Hassane Imourane, Junior Olaitan; Steve Mounie.
The Super Eagles are predicted to win the match 2-0, capitalizing on their superior squad depth and home support.
However, Benin, with their resilient form, will be eager to spring another surprise if given the chance.
