Nigeria 3-0 Benin: Match ratings- Lookman soars, Nwabali stainless, Troost-Ekong gives stealth

The Super Eagles claimed a 3-0 win over Benin in their opening game of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers on Saturday.

Nigeria, who had the advantage were favourites to win the game, but there were doubts about their quality due to their struggles in recent months.

Nonetheless, goals from Ademola Lookman and Victor Osimhen sealed the win for the three-time African champions.

Soccernet.ng asseses the performance of the Super Eagles stars that were on duty on the night.

Stanley Nwabali 8/10: The Chippa United goalie had a great game. He looked very solid in the goalposts. He had an awkward moment early in the game after a poor first touch following a back pass, but he recovered. He also made some great saves in both halves. One was from point-blank range after a shot from Steve Mounie in the box.

William Troost-Ekong 7.3/10: The Super Eagles captain was quite solid in Nigeria’s defence. He had a calming effect in the game and led the team well. There was a moment when his loss of communication nearly cost the team, but that was the only dent.

Semi Ajayi 7.6/10: He also had a good game for the Super Eagles. His marking was good, and he was quite composed. Ajayi also made some brilliant long passes that opened up the play for Nigeria.

Calvin Bassey 7/10: Bassey had a very good game. He did not have much to do though. He got yellow-carded for a handball after some pressure from Mounie, but it was a good showing overall.

Ola Aina 7.1/10: The Nottingham Forest star had a very good showing. He struggled in the final third during the first half, but he later picked up the pace. He was never dribbled past.

Bruno Onyemaechi 7.1/10: He had a solid game for Nigeria at left fullback. He could have done better in the final third though, but he did his primary job of defending very well.

Alex Iwobi 6.9/10: Iwobi had a good game. He did not create much from the middle of the park, but his passes and touches were good. He also had a good partnership with Ndidi.

Wilfred Ndidi 7.1/10: Ndidi had a solid showing in the middle of the park. He hardly put a foot wrong as his passes were on point. His decision-making in the final third could have been better, but it was a good showing overall. And of course he bagged an assist.

Ademola Lookman 9/10: It was yet another super performance from the Atalanta man. He was the livewire in Nigeria’s attack and provided a constant threat for the Super Eagles. He scored two goals to see Nigeria through, but it could have been three as he got one-on-one with the Beninois goalkeeper once but failed to convert.

Samuel Chukwueze 6.9/10: The AC Milan star had a good showing for the Super Eagles. He was very lively in the first half and tried to create chances for Nigeria, but those did not amount to much. In the second half, he did not see a lot of the ball, but it was a decent showing overall.

Victor Boniface 6.9/10: The Bayer Leverkusen man had a decent game, but he could have done better. He had two chances he could have scored from, but he failed to convert both. Although, his switching of positions with Lookman was great, that made Nigeria lack a strikers presence in the box at times.

Substitutes

Victor Osimhen 7.5/10: Seeing Osimhen on the bench was an unusual sight, but it was due to his late arrival in camp. He scored Nigeria’s second and was a force in the final third of the attack. He could have even score a hat-trick, but he fluffed two great chances. Overall, it was a good appearance for the Galatasaray man.

Moses Simon 7/10: The Nantes man operated from the left of Nigeria’s attack and was quite lively. He supplied the assist for Lookman’s second goal.

Fisayo Dele-Bashiru 6.8/10: Although Nigeria lost control of the midfield after his introduction, he opened the game up when he entered the game. He also played an important role in the build-up to the second goal, supplying the pre-assist.

Olisa Ndah 6.7/10: The Orlando Pirates star boy was decent in the defence when he replaced Bassey. He hardly put a foot wrong even though he was thrown into the game when Nigeria were under pressure. He was caught off-guard twice though, allowing Benin to get shots in, but he was covered by Troost-Ekong.