Ademola Lookman for Ballon d’Or: Nigerians praise Super Eagles star after brace in 3-0 win against Benin Republic

The Super Eagles of Nigeria defeated the Cheetahs of Benin Republic 3-0 in a 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier.

The only goal in the first half was a strike by Atalanta forward Ademola Lookman in additional time.

Lookman was the talisman in attack as the Super Eagles got to the 2024 AFCON final earlier this year.

Since then he has been in sensational form leading Atalanta to win the 2024 Europa League title.

The Super Eagles squandered several chances against a defensive organised coach Gernot Rohr to the frustration of the crowd at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo.

Lookman would provide the breakthrough to give Nigerians something to smile about at the halftime break.

In the second half, Interim Head Coach Austin Eguavoen introduced Victor Osimhen and the new Galatasaray man made it two converting a cross by Wilfred Ndidi.

The third came in the 83rd minute when Lookman headed in a cross by Moses Simon to seal the result.

Lookman has been Nigeria's most consistent player this year from his heroics at the AFCON to his Hattrick for Atalanta in the Europa League final.

Nigerian football fans were delighted he picked up another brace in a crucial qualification match.

Following the result, Lookman rose to the top of the trends on social media.

Nigerian football fans showered him with praise stating that not only should he win the African footballer of the year but the Ballon d'Or award.

Lookman was the only African that made the 30-man shortlist and Nigerians expected him to be crowned the winner when at the ceremony scheduled for October.

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