International football takes centre stage over the next two weeks as the November international break brings a flurry of action, including the decisive final two group-stage games in the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
Among those qualifiers, Nigeria are set to travel to face Benin in their penultimate fixture, with the Super Eagles needing just a point to qualify for AFCON, while Benin are currently second and a point above third-placed Rwanda.
Benin vs Nigeria
Thursday 14 November, 20:00
Stade Félix Houphouët-Boigny
Nigeria may be struggling in their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, sitting fifth in the table with just three points from four outings, leaving them trailing the qualification places by four points, but they have been in top form in their AFCON qualifiers.
The Super Eagles sit comfortably top of their group with 10 points from four matches, having recorded three wins and one draw without conceding, though one of those wins and three goals were awarded to them after the situation with Libya in the postponed previous fixture.
Now aiming to continue their unbeaten run and secure qualification to the next AFCON tournament, where they will look to secure the trophy after narrowly missing out in the final last time, Nigeria must secure at least a point against either Benin or Rwanda.
The Super Eagles have defeated Benin in three of their previous four encounters, losing the remaining match-up 2-1 in the FIFA World Cup qualifiers in June 2024, and they will undoubtedly be the favourites for the win here.
Benin are also looking to secure their place in the next AFCON tournament, and they currently sit second in Group D with six points from four games, just a point ahead of third-placed Rwanda.
Benin must simply match Rwanda’s point tally across the upcoming two games, with both set to play Nigeria and Libya, if they are to secure their qualification, though all three points on Thursday would put them in an extremely strong position to move into the tournament.
The hosts do come into this game having lost both of their last two outings, 2-0 to Togo and 2-1 to Rwanda, meaning they will be aiming to avoid suffering a third consecutive defeat for the first time since 2022.
Benin Predicted XI: Dandjinou; Moumini, Verdon, Tijani, Roche; D’Almeida, Imourane; Hountondji, Dodo, Olaitan; Mounie
Nigeria Predicted XI: Nwabali; Aina, Troost-Ekong, Bassey, Onyemaechi; Ndidi, Onyeka; Simon, Iwobi, Lookman; Osimhen
Bet9ja Tips
Nigeria have been significantly improved in the AFCON qualifiers compared to their struggles in the World Cup qualifiers and are coming into this game needing just a point thanks to winning three and drawing one of their last four fixtures. Benin, in comparison, have lost each of their last two outings, leaving the Super Eagles as undoubtedly the favourites to win the match, and for that reason we believe Nigeria will win here. You can get odds of 3.90 for Nigeria to win by two goals.
Victor Osimhen returns to the squad for the first time since the September international break, when he featured against Benin and Rwanda, after being absent from the previous squad due to an injury. The striker heads into these matches having scored five goals in his last three appearances for Galatasaray, including two against Tottenham Hotspur, and we believe the striker will help contribute to a comfortable victory for the visitors.
Bet9ja Odds (at time of writing): Benin win: 6.60, Draw: 3.75, Nigeria win: 1.58
Best Booking Codes:
Nigeria to win, 7KFSJT: Book Here
Nigeria to win by 2 goals, 7KFVRG: Book Here
Over 2.5 goals, 7KFZ7T: Book Here
