Eagles face-off Benin today

The Nigeria national football team are preparing to kick off their 2025 AFCON campaign with a match against their West African rivals, Benin. This will be their second clash in just four months, following a World Cup qualifier in June where Benin’s Cheetahs won 2-1.

In that previous game, Nigeria took an early lead with a goal from Rapheal Onyedika just before the 30-minute mark. Benin responded quickly, with Jodel Dossou equalizing ten minutes later and Steve Mounie scoring the decisive goal during first-half stoppage time.

The defeat led to Finidi George’s resignation as head coach, leaving the team without a leader until recently. The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) initially announced German coach Bruno Labbadia as the new head coach, but contract negotiations fell through. Augustine Eguavoen was then appointed as interim coach, marking his third term in charge of the national team.

This upcoming match will be the eighth encounter between Nigeria and Benin. The Super Eagles have won six of the previous seven meetings, with Benin claiming two victories, including their recent win under former Nigeria coach Gernot Rohr, who now manages the Cheetahs.