Goals from Ademola Lookman and Victor Osimhen ensured that Super Eagles of Nigeria began the Africa Cup of Nations 2025 qualifiers with a 3-0 victory over Benin Republic at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo on Saturday.
Lookman, who just got nominated for the 2024 Ballon d’Or awards, celebrated the feat with two well-taken goals to set the 2024 AFCON runners up on their way to making it to Morocco for the next edition.
The Beninese thought that they had done enough to hold out for a 0-0 first half with a spirited defensive display, but the Atalanta of Italy star broke the deadlock in the added time of the first half after creatively escaping from the Beninese defenders to release a short.
Super Eagles’ other goal was scored Osimhen who recently secured a move to Galatasaray of Turkey after being in the middle of a transfer saga between Napoli, Chelsea and Saudi’s Al Ahli.
The reigning African Footballer of the year reminded everyone what he is capable of with an incredible goal in the 78th minute shortly after coming on for Victor Boniface.
Osimhen connected well with the ball for a fantastic half volley after Wilfred Ndidi played the ball into the Beninese box to make it 2-0 for Nigeria.
Lookman sealed the victory in the 83rd minute with his second of the day after meeting a Simon Moses’ cross with his head to put the ball on the top right angle of the post beyond the keeper.
The result means that interim coach Augustine Eguavoen begins another stint with the Eagles with a convincing victory against a team that defeated Nigeria 2-1 in a World Cup qualifier in June.
Eguavoen was drafted in to take charge of the team after an agreement between the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and German coach Bruno Labbadia failed at the last minute over tax issues.
![Rev. Fr. Anthony Odiong, a US-based Nigerian Louisiana Catholic priest, was arrested in Florida on Tuesday for possessing child pornography, according to law authorities. The suspect is reportedly accused of many other cases of sexual assault. The Waco, Texas, Police Department announced in a Facebook post on Tuesday that officers detained Father Anthony Odiong in Ave Maria, Florida, with assistance from the United States Marshals Service. Waco police announced in March that they had received "credible information" about a sexual assault allegedly committed by Odiong in Texas in 2012. “During the subsequent investigation, a case of possession of child pornography was uncovered,” the police said. The priest was apprehended in Florida by the Caribbean Regional Fugitive Task Force. The Waco Police Department said that he will be extradited to Texas. Odiong had previously served in the Archdiocese of New Orleans before being removed as priest in December of last year due to controversy over homilies in which he claimed, among other things, that the Catholic Church was being taken over by "the gays." At the time, the priest was also accused of abusive behaviour; a Louisiana lady claimed in U.S. bankruptcy court that Odiong had committed both financial and sexual abuse against her. Prior to joining the New Orleans Archdiocese, Odiong served in at least two Texas parishes. On Tuesday, Waco police stated that during their sexual assault investigation, "the presence of other survivors was revealed." “Multiple women have come forward to tell similar experiences as the sexual assault survivor who reported the initial allegation,” the police department said. “Survivors’ experiences ranged from sexual assault and indecent assault, more commonly recognised as groping, and financial abuse, with some survivors experiencing every element of Anthony Odiong’s manipulation.” The police said they “believe there may be more survivors, and we wish to speak with anyone who [has] had similar encounters” with the priest. The Archdiocese of New Orleans issued a brief news release on Tuesday noting Odiong's arrest in Florida. The archdiocese “encourages anyone with any information to contact law enforcement,” the release said.](https://chronicle.ng/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/ezgif-6-4730550ede-450x300.jpg "Anthony Odiong: Nigerian Catholic priest sentenced to life in prison over sexual assault")
