AFCON 2025Q: Nigeria vs Benin – Team news, time, where to watch

The Super Eagles of Nigeria are set to kick off their campaign for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) with a highly anticipated match against West African neighbors, Benin.

This fixture marks their second encounter in just four months, following Benin’s surprising 2-1 victory in a World Cup qualifier last June.

In the last match, Nigeria took an early lead through Raphael Onyedika, who scored just before the half-hour mark. However, Benin quickly equalized, with Jodel Dossou leveling the score, followed by Steve Mounie netting the winning goal in first-half stoppage time. The defeat led to the demotion and eventual resignation of Finidi George as head coach, leaving the Super Eagles temporarily without a leader.

In a dramatic turn of events, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) announced German coach Bruno Labbadia as the new head coach, but contract negotiations fell through. As a result, Augustine Eguavoen was appointed interim coach for his third stint in charge.

The upcoming clash will be the eighth meeting between Nigeria and Benin, with the Super Eagles winning six of the previous seven encounters. Benin’s recent triumph came under former Nigeria coach Gernot Rohr, who now manages the Cheetahs.

Team News and Lineups

Nigeria welcomes back key players, including Galatasaray striker Victor Osimhen and William Troost-Ekong, both of whom missed June’s World Cup qualifiers due to injury. Their return will boost the Super Eagles as they look to avenge their recent defeat and begin their AFCON 2025 journey on a strong note.

How to Watch

While there’s no official broadcast information yet, fans can stay updated on the match through the NFF’s social media channels.