Interim manager Augustine Owen Eguavoen is set to take charge as Nigeria manager when the Super Eagles host Benin at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium on Saturday in their first match of their Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign.
This will be the second consecutive game that these two sides face each other after they matched up in the FIFA World Cup qualifiers last time out, with Benin taking all three points with a 2-1 win.
Nigeria vs Benin
Saturday 7 September, 17:00
Godswill Akpabio International Stadium
Outside of their escapades at the 2024 Africa Cup of Nations, where Nigeria went all the way to the final after conceding just two goals in the six games en route to the last match of the tournament, the Super Eagles have had a torrid time in recent months.
Unfortunately for the Super Eagles, Ivory Coast, the hosts, were able to come from behind to win 2-1 in the final, lifting the trophy and leaving Nigeria still in search of their fourth AFCON trophy.
Their form outside of that tournament has been abysmal, especially in the World Cup qualifiers where they surprisingly sit fifth in the table with just three points from four matches, leaving them in a weak position.
Since their defeat in the final, Nigeria have won just one of their following four matches across all competitions, including a defeat to Benin, but they will be hoping Eguavoen can reinvigorate the team, starting with a win on Saturday.
Benin, on the other hand, brought an end to an awful run of 16 matches without a victory across all competitions when they beat Rwanda 1-0 in June, which they followed up with a second victory against the Super Eagles.
That is the first time Benin have won back-to-back matches since a run of three victories between November 2019 and October 2020, beating Sierra Leone, Gabon and Lesotho.
Gernot Rohr, who has been in charge since February 2023, will be hoping his side can replicate their success against Nigeria again here to kick-start their AFCON qualifiers with three points, aiming to reach the tournament for the first time since 2019.
Bet9ja Tips
While Nigeria are on an awful run of results across all competitions, a fresh start could leave the Super Eagles with new-found motivation and help get them off to a much better run of form.
Because of that, we believe that Nigeria will get revenge for their defeat to Benin last time out and secure a victory here by one goal, at odds of 3.10. You can get odds of 6.98 for star men Victor and Ademola Lookman to both score anytime.
Bet9ja Odds (at time of writing): Nigeria to win: 1.56, Draw: 3.75, Benin win: 6.60
Booking Codes:
Nigeria to win by 1 goal – 723R3YY
Osimhen & Lookman to score any time – 723R69H
9 Comments
by Bodunde Ajilore
Nigeria will win the match by 3:1
by Barnabas
This is the Lord platform, am happy to hear
by Victor
Nigeria 2
Benin Republic 0
by Enemari Emmanuel Christian
Nigeria 3 – Benin Republic 1
by Atapupa
Nigeria 2 Benin 0
by Samuel
Nigeria 3-0 Benin
by Uzairu Dantani
I love my country
by The game will be tough
Nigeria wins with 1 goal
by Falade Elijah
Nigeria is going to win benin