Nigeria vs Benin: West African Derby Showdown | AFCON 2025 Qualifier.

Nigeria’s Super Eagles are set to clash with Benin in a high-stakes West African derby at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium this Saturday, as they kick off their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying campaign. 

This match holds special significance, not just because it's a derby, but because it’s the second time in four months these two teams have faced each other. Last time, Benin came away with a shocking 2-1 win in a World Cup qualifier, leaving Nigeria with a bitter taste and plenty to prove.

Saturday’s game will be about revenge for Nigeria. In their previous encounter, the Super Eagles took an early lead through Raphael Onyedika, only for Benin’s Jodel Dossou and Steve Mounie to turn the game on its head before halftime. That defeat marked only the second time Nigeria had lost to Benin, and the fallout was immediate—Finidi George stepped down as head coach following the result.

Nigeria will be hoping that returning stars, including reigning African Player of the Year Victor Osimhen and AFCON 2023 Player of the Tournament William Troost-Ekong, can inspire a turnaround. Both missed June’s qualifiers due to injury, and their return is a massive boost for the Super Eagles as they aim to get off to a strong start in their AFCON campaign.

Benin, meanwhile, will be looking to replicate their heroics from June. The Cheetahs know they’re the underdogs, but they’ve already proven they can take on Nigeria and win. Dossou and Mounie, the architects of Nigeria’s downfall last time, will once again lead the line for Benin, and they’ll be full of confidence heading into this match.

🇳🇬= 4 wins out of 5 games ( 80%)

🇧🇯= 1 win out of 5 games (20%)

📊Clean Sheets: Nigeria 2, Benin 1
📊Goals Scored: Nigeria 22, Benin 11
📊Total Shots: Nigeria 190, Benin 98
📊Total Corner: Nigeria 82. Benin 33