Interim manager Augustine Eguavoen has announced that Nigeria’s Super Eagles are fully prepared to seize all six points in their upcoming 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying matches against Benin Republic and Rwanda.
The Super Eagles, who are the reigning African vice champions, will face the Cheetahs of Benin Republic in Uyo on Saturday, September 7, and then travel to Kigali to take on Rwanda’s Amavubi three days later.
“Our objective is clear: we want to secure six points from both matches,” Eguavoen said. “The players are aware of this goal and are committed to achieving it. We know the matches won’t be easy—no qualifying game is ever straightforward because every team is fighting for a spot in the finals. But we’ve had a good talk with the players, and we’re all aligned in our approach.”
Eguavoen emphasized that the focus for Saturday’s match against Benin Republic is solely on securing three points, with no talk of revenge. The aim is to follow up with another win in Kigali on Tuesday to strengthen their position for qualification.
The squad includes key players who missed the FIFA World Cup qualifiers in June due to injury but are now eager to make an impact. William Ekong, the captain and Man-of-the-Competition at the recent AFCON, is back in the lineup after recovering from his injury. He scored three goals during the AFCON earlier this year.
Victor Osimhen, the reigning African Player of the Year who recently signed with Turkish giants Galatasaray, is also back after missing the June matches. His return is expected to boost the team, along with defender Ola Aina and star forward Moses Simon, both of whom are also making a return.
Eguavoen is likely to start goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali, with Aina, Semi Ajayi, Ekong, and Bassey in defense. In midfield, he may choose from Frank Onyeka, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, Alex Iwobi, Wilfred Ndidi, Alhassan Yusuf, and Raphael Onyedika. Up front, Osimhen, Kelechi Iheanacho, Samuel Chukwueze, Simon, Taiwo Awoniyi, Victor Boniface, and Ademola Lookman are all vying for starting positions.
Lookman, recently nominated for the Ballon d’Or, will bring added confidence to the team. He scored three crucial goals for Nigeria at the AFCON and had an impressive season with Atalanta FC, scoring 17 goals and providing 11 assists, including a hat-trick in the Europa Cup final against Bayer Leverkusen.
Saturday’s match against Benin Republic is set to kick off at 5 p.m. at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium.
