Sports Minister, Enoh: ‘Let’s keep soaring Super Eagles!

Sports Minister, John Enoh has tasked the Super Eagles of Nigeria to keep soaring after Austin ‘Cerezo’ Eguavoen’s men returned to winning ways by spanking ‘noisy neigbhours’ the Cheetahs of Republic of Benin 3-0 in their opening group game of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying game.

‘Congratulations Super Eagles of Nigeria. Your AFCON qualifier match against Benin Republic was impressive. You defeated your opponent 3-0 at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo. Bravo! Let’s keep soaring Super Eagles!’, he wrote on his X handle.

Twin-terrors Ademola Lookman and Victor Osimhen were on song as the Super Eagles returned to winning ways with a commanding 3-0 spanking of Cheetahs of Benin Republic on Matchday 1 of the 2025 AFCON qualifiers in Uyo on Saturday.

At the first blast of Egyptian referee Amin Mohamed Omar’s whistle, the Eagles had not won a qualifying match in seven games. And despite endeavour and some promising moves, they failed to rouse the near-capacity crowd until the tail end of the first period.

Deep into added in the half, Ballon d’Or nominee and Europa League final hat-trickster Ademola Lookman took matters entirely into his own hands.

Latching onto a floated ball that was read incorrectly by a defender, the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations showman beat three defenders on the trot and gently placed the ball beyond the reach of goalkeeper Marcel Dandjinou for Nigeria’s first goal.

Before then, Germany-based forward Victor Boniface had fluffled a number of opportunities, including when one-on-man with Dandjinou after a shot by Samuel Chukwueze was blocked by Cedric Hountondji.

In the 14th minute, Lookman came close off a pass from the lively Chukwueze, and 12 minutes later, Chukwueze saw his promising lift from a free kick punched over the bar.

In the second half, Boniface wasted another glorious chance as the ubiquitous Bruno Onyemaechi sent a cross into the box, and in the 53rd minute, Lookman himself failed to beat Dandjinou from a one-on-one as Nigeria counter attacked.

The win catapulted the Super Eagles to the top of the table, with Rwanda and Libya having battled to a 1-1 draw in Tripoli on Wednesday.

Next up for the Eagles is a clash with Rwanda’s Amavubi in Kigali on Tuesday afternoon, while Benin Republic will host Libya’s Mediterranean Knights in Abidjan.