Ahead of today’s crucial match with Benin, Nigeria were just one point ahead of last-placed Zimbabwe in Group C without a single triumph and with only three goals scored. A totally alarming situation, not only because the first team in the group is guaranteed to go through, but also because the Super Eagles are Africa’s powerhouse, and yet with such a strong squad, they managed draws with the likes of Zimbabwe and Lesotho. So, a trip to Benin was the last chance to start the engines and begin a series of wins which would get them to first place, but it turned out to be a total disaster – Benin – Nigeria 2-1.Goal: Raphael Onyedika | 🇧🇯 Benin 0-1 Nigeria 🇳🇬 | 🅰️ Samuel Chukwuezepic.twitter.com/rwYqraG4V7— PushGoals (@PushGoals) June 10, 2024 The Super Eagles played poorly again but this time the hosts managed to punish them for it, unlike Zimbabwe Lesotho and South Africa earlier, so with a first defeat in this World Cup qualifications, they are now four points off the first place and without a single victory in the first four rounds. The Cheetahs’ manager Gernot Rohr has led Nigeria for five years (2016-2021) and knew this team well, so he managed to get perfect tactics and end up with only the second Benin win against Nigeria in the country’s history.Goal: Jodel Dossou | 🇧🇯 Benin 1-1 Nigeria 🇳🇬 pic.twitter.com/ABItiOzqJP— PushGoals (@PushGoals) June 10, 2024 Goal: Steve Mounié | 🇧🇯 Benin 2-1 Nigeria 🇳🇬 pic.twitter.com/I63KOKqkS6— PushGoals (@PushGoals) June 10, 2024 Nigeria started with Lookman, Chukwuese, Moffi and Iwobi up front, while Iheanacho, Boniface and Onuachu were on the bench. The game was slow and uninteresting until Benin had a fantastic chance through Junior Olaitan, but his shot from three meters ended up in the hands of keeper Nwabali. Just a few minutes later, Nigeria punished this miss with a goal (it’s only shot on target in the first half) from Onyedika and everybody thought that this was the beginning of a first win in these qualifications. But, Calvin Bassey’s mistake allowed Dossou to equalize in the 37th minute before Steve Mounie’s strike in injury time turned the game around. Nigeria had 45 minutes to at least manage another draw, but they failed to even make a single shot on target.WORLD CUP QUALIFIERS – AFRICAMondayEquatorial Guinea – Malawi 1-0 (0-0)/Salvador 81/Somalia – Botswana 1-3 (0-1)/Hassan 74 – Sesinyi 10, Gaolaolwe 53, Seakanyeng 72/Guinea B. – Egypt 1-1 (1-0)/Balde 42 – Salah 70/Benin – Nigeria 2-1 (2-1)/Dossou 37, Mounie 45+3 – Onyedika 27/Uganda – Algeria 1-2 (1-0)/Mutyaba 10 – Aouar 46, Benrahma 58/22:00: (1.30) Ghana (5.00) Central African Republic (12.0)22:00: (1.62) Burkina Faso (3.50) Sierra Leone (6.50)22:00: (1.85) Guinea (3.50) Mozambique (4.40)***odds are subject to change***
