[Watch]: Ademola Lookman scores fantastic solo goal against Benin

The Super Eagles kicked off their Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign with a home against Benin.

In what is the second meeting between both sides in four months, the Super Eagles were looking to avenge the 2-1 loss in June.

Despite dominating proceedings for the major part of the first half, Nigeria found it difficult to create clear openings.

With the first half coming to a close and a nervy home crowd growing impatient, Lookman took matters into his own hands.

Fresh from his Ballon d’Or nomination, the Atalanta forward was brewing with confidence, and this was evident in the goal.

After the ball fell to him close to the Benin box, Lookman dribbled past three opposition defenders and avoided a fourth before slotting the ball beyond the goalkeeper. 

Lookman became the ninth Nigerian to be nominated for the prestigious Ballon d'Or award, a reward for his fantastic season with Atalanta.

The attacker helped the Italian side secure the first ever trophy in their history by scoring a hat trick against Bayer Leverkusen in the Europa League final - the first man to do so in a one-legged European final.