Afcon 2025: Eguavoen clarifies delay Ndidi’s substitution as Troost-Ekong credit Eagles attackers for Benin fall

Super Eagles coach Augustine Eguavoen has explained his reason for delaying the substitution of midfielder, Wilfred Ndidi during the second half of their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, Afcon, qualifier against the Republic of Benin on Saturday.

Ndidi paired fellow Premier League player, Alex Iwobi in the midfield against Benin.

The Leicester City star put up his best performance in a while for Nigeria but it came at a cost as he became fatigued.

In the second half, Ndidi was caught on camera signalling to the bench to be substituted, but Eguavoen opted to leave him on the pitch until the 80th minute when he was replaced by Raphael Onyedika.

Explaining why Ndidi’s substitution was delayed, Eguavoen said at his post-match press conference that he wanted to allow his replacement enough time to get fully warmed up before stepping onto the pitch.

“From the beginning of the second half, I told six players to warm up, Onyedika was among them,” Eguavoen said.

“But we have to buy time, you don’t have to rush into changes because the Republic of Benin today surprised me, a very good team.

“I watched them against us in Abidjan, they were not as good as this, so they came with a good game plan, today’s performance for them was very okay.

“I knew at some point we were going to sub Ndidi but somebody who is coming in has to be properly warmed and prepared.”

Eguavoen’s tactical decision to leave Nddi on the pitch paid off as the midfielder provided Victor Osimhen with an assist.

Nigeria won the match 3-0, thanks to Ademola Lookman’s brace and Osimhen’s goal.

Elsewhere, Super Eagles captain, William Troost-Ekong says the team’s attacking power made the difference in Saturday’s emphatic 3-0 victory over the Cheetahs of Benin Republic.

Troost-Ekong also declared that the team is heading in the right direction.

“Everybody knows we have good attacking talent, we don’t have to name them, but we played well, and tried to keep the door shut at the back.

“We created chances to score, so I believe that if we gave the boys enough balls up front they would put it away,” the centre-back said during his interaction with the media after the game.

“Today is a good indication of the direction that we’re heading and the first step of many that we have to take to be back in action.”

The Al-Khaloood of Saudi Arabia defender also reflected on the win.

“We prepared to win the game, we respect Benin, the last time we played against them they won, so like I said we have great belief in our team, in our coach, who is like a family member that has returned to us now, and we knew we had to take responsibility,” Troost-Ekong said.