Joel Ajayi
Interim manager Augustine Eguavoen has declared that Nigeria’s Super Eagles are raring to go for all six points available in this month’s 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying matches against their counterparts from Benin Republic and Rwanda.
The reigning African vice champions clash with the Cheetahs of Benin Republic in Uyo on Saturday, 7th September, and then keep a date with Rwanda’s Amavubi in Kigali three days later.
Eguavoen has some stalwarts who are truly determined to appease fans and enthusiasts for missing the two FIFA World Cup qualifying matches in June, from which poor results threaten the Eagles’ chances of reaching the 2026 finals.
AFCON’s Man-of-the-Competition William Ekong, also team captain, was overlooked for the ties against South Africa and the Benin Republic as he was recovering from injury but is back at the heart of the rearguard to lead the three-time African champions to hunt for points for another showpiece. Ekong scored three goals at the AFCON finals early in the year.
Rapid-raider Simon, who on his good day can single-handedly decimate the opposition, is also eager to again dorn the green-white-green, just as Aina.
Lookman, in the list of 30 nominees for the Ballon d’Or, will walk with a greater spring in his steps, and justifiably so. He scored three crucial goals for Nigeria at the AFCON, and his 17 goals and 11 assists steered Atalanta FC to the Europa Cup final, where his hat-trick did the damage to German club, Bayer Leverkusen.
Saturday’s match will kick off at 5 pm inside the Godswill Akpabio Stadium.
