Big win for Super Eagles, Cameroon & Mauritania also triumph

Carlos Baleba of Cameroon challenged by Deon Hotto of Namibia during the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations Qualifiers match between Cameroon and Namibia at Roumdé Adjia Stadium in Garoua, Cameroon 7 September 2024 ©Achille Ndomo Tsanga/BackpagePix

by Graeme Jackson

Saturday Sep 07, 2024. 20:42

Nigeria headlined Saturday’s action in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers thanks to their emphatic win, while Cameroon and Mauritania also secured important opening victories.

Nigeria got off to a winning start and went to the top of Group D by defeating Benin 3-0 at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo. Star attackers Ademola Lookman (two) and Victor Osimhen netted for the Super Eagles, who shrugged off a sluggish first half to ultimately claim an emphatic triumph.

In Group J, Cameroon are the new leaders after they defeated Namibia 1-0 at the Japoma Stadium in Douala – courtesy of a strike midway through the second half from veteran striker Vincent Aboubakar.

And in Group C, Mauritania struck late in the game at Stade Cheikha Ould Boidiya in Nouakchott to defeat Botswana 1-0. Sidi Bouna Amar netted with just six minutes of regulation time left to secure Al-Murabitun all three points.

The AFCON qualifiers continue on Sunday 8 September with just one match: Gambia v Tunisia in Group A, held in neutral Morocco.

AFCON qualifiers results, Saturday 7 September

Nigeria 3-0 Benin

Cameroon 1-0 Namibia

Mauritania 1-0 Botswana