Super Eagles midfielder Fisayo Dele-Bashiru has assured fans that Nigeria will be fully prepared for their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier against Benin Republic on Saturday. The match will be held at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, marking the start of Nigeria’s campaign to qualify for the next AFCON tournament.
Despite Nigeria being the favored team, Dele-Bashiru acknowledged the challenge posed by Benin Republic, especially considering their recent victory over Nigeria in a World Cup qualifying match. In June, Benin Republic secured a 2-1 win over Nigeria, coming from behind to surprise their higher-ranked opponents.
Dele-Bashiru, who made a notable debut for the Eagles in June by scoring the equalizer against South Africa, missed the subsequent match against Benin due to injury. The 23-year-old had an impressive season with Hatayspor in Turkey, where he played 39 matches, scored nine goals, and provided six assists.
Now back in camp for potentially his second competitive game at the same venue where he made his debut, Dele-Bashiru is focused on proving himself. “I am looking forward to playing more than anything,” he said. “I am training hard because it is not a given that I am going to play, but I just have to prove myself because I am still new to the team.”
He emphasized the importance of preparation and concentration, acknowledging that while Nigeria is considered the favorite, football can be unpredictable. “Football is 11 against 11, and on that day anything can happen. We have to be well prepared for the match,” he added.
Dele-Bashiru stressed that despite past challenges, including the difficult match against Benin Republic in June, the team must remain focused and aim for victory. “We will go for all three points, but we can’t overlook any team that we are going to play against,” he said. “We have to go into the game with the mindset that we are going to win, and we have to be 100 percent in the game because the AFCON is a big competition and we want to qualify. All Nigerians want us to qualify.”
As the Super Eagles prepare for their opening qualifier, Dele-Bashiru and his teammates are committed to delivering a strong performance and securing a crucial win.
