Nigeria put up another shambolic performance in a 2-1 defeat to Benin Republic in a 2026 World Cup CAF, Qualifying Group C match-day 4 played at the Félix Houphouët-Boigny in Abidjan on Monday.
Stinging from a 1-1 draw against SA will take a few enchantments for Nigeria to be back in figuring and dispute, but the three-time African champions will once more favor their chances when the qualifying battle continues in 2025 when they will have Zimbabwe on Walk 24 and after that travel to Rwanda seven days later against South Africa at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo three days prior. The Super Eagles gave disappointed Nigerians a see of trust by going in front on 27 minutes through Raphael Onyedika, who let go delightfully domestic from the edge of the box, after being helped by Samuel Chukwueze.
The applause that welcomed the opener scarcely passed on down when Jodel Dossou drew the Cheetahs level on 37 minutes, whereas Steve Mounié made it 2-1 in to begin with half-included time to hand them a notable win over their distinguished neighbors.
Nigeria coach Finidi George made two changes to his starting line-up against South Africa, with Raphael Onyedika taking the slot of Kelechi Iheanacho and Terem Moffi starting ahead of Paul Onuachu, but both changes clearly included no esteem to the group, as the Eagles needed reason and sense of heading.
Previous Nigeria forward Finidi, who must be squeezing himself sore for taking up the job in April, made five substitutions in an offer to drive a positive result required to resuscitate capability trusts. Onuachu and Victor Boniface, who didn’t highlight against South Africa, came on for Alex Iwobi and Terem Moffi individually in 51 minutes, debutants Sodiq Ismail and Ibrahim Olawoyin were 60th-minute substitutions for right-back Shinning Osayi-Samuel and Samuel Chukwueze respectively on 60 minutes and Alhassan Yusuf came on for Wilfred Ndidi within the 79th miniature.
In any case, in spite of Finidi’s wild-eyed endeavors at turning the result his team’s way, the Beninoise drew rings around the Eagles, attacking and defending honorably when they chose to.
The result takes Nigeria more distant absent from the 2026 World Cup in Canada, USA, and Mexico as they are presently cleared out with a mountain to climb in fifth position with three points, whereas Benin moved to the top of the table with seven points, pending Tuesday’s other two group matches, which can see South Africa (four points) have Zimbabwe, whereas Rwanda (four points) will be the visitors of previous pioneers Lesotho (five points).
It moreover hands Benin and Gernot Rohr bragging rights over Nigeria, being seemingly theirs, to begin with, a major triumph over the Super Eagles, whereas the last mentioned was sacked by Nigeria on December 13, 2021, after coaching the Super Eagles for nearly six a long time of phenomenal player turnover without making strategic headway.
But it was the Franco-German gaffer who had the final snicker over his previous managers after 95 minutes of football in Abidjan, as his players carried him on their shoulders after the staggering win over their more distinguished western neighbors.
It will take a few enchantments for Nigeria to be back in figuring and dispute, but the three-time African champions will once more take their chances when the qualifying battle continues in the year 2025 when they will host Zimbabwe on Walk 24 and travel to Rwanda seven days afterward.
