Nigeria suffered a defeat against Benin in the 2026 World Cup qualifier match. Benin managed to come from behind and secure a 2-1 victory over the Super Eagles in the group C match. Mounni scored the winning goal for Benin after Dossou equalized Nigeria’s goal, which was scored by Onyedike. This result places Nigeria in the fifth position with four points on the table, while Benin leads group C with seven points. If the other teams in the group win their games, Nigeria will be at the bottom of the group. The Africa edition of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers will continue for almost two years.
In the match highlights, Benin started strong in the second half with a push for a third goal, but the striker fouled a Nigerian player. Nigeria had a big chance with Chukuweze’s cross inside the box, but Lookman’s header was weak. Despite Nigeria’s efforts to attack from the right side, Benin’s defense managed to clear the danger. The match saw several substitutions and free kicks for both teams, showcasing Benin’s confidence and Nigeria’s struggles to convert their opportunities into goals. In the end, Benin emerged victorious with a score of 2-1 against Nigeria.
The first half of the match saw Nigeria putting pressure on Benin, with attempts at goal from Lookman and Osayi. Nigeria took the lead with Onyedike’s goal, but Benin quickly equalized with Dossou finding the back of the net. Benin turned the tide in their favor with Mounie scoring another goal, leading to a halftime score of 2-1 in favor of Benin.
Looking at the lineups, Benin fielded a strong team with players like Dossou, Mounie, and Olaitan, while Nigeria’s lineup included Ajayi, Iwobi, and Ndidi. The head-to-head record between Nigeria and Benin shows Nigeria’s dominance in previous encounters, winning 13 out of 16 games. However, Benin managed to secure a victory in 2017, showcasing their potential to challenge Nigeria’s supremacy in future matches.
Overall, the match between Nigeria and Benin was a thrilling encounter with Benin emerging as the victors. Nigeria will need to regroup and strategize for upcoming matches in the World Cup qualifiers to secure their spot in the tournament. As the competition progresses, football fans can expect more exciting matches and intense rivalries between African teams vying for a spot in the 2026 World Cup.