In a tightly contested Africa Cup of Nations qualification encounter on Thursday night, Nigeria and Benin played out a 1-1 draw on matchday five in Group D, ensuring the Super Eagles will finish top of the group regardless of their result on the final matchday against Rwanda.
The match, held at Stade Felix Houphouet-Boigny, saw both sides trading blows in a contest that presented the competitiveness of African football.
Despite the result securing Nigeria’s place at the next edition of AFCON, the Super Eagles will still be disappointed with the draw against Benin, especially given they dominated the ball for much of the encounter.
The game was truly a tale of two halves, with Nigeria’s late equaliser salvaging a point after a sluggish start. Despite controlling the possession with 68% throughout the 90 minutes, the Super Eagles struggled to convert their control into meaningful and quality chances, particularly in a poor first half performance.
Nigeria’s first half performance was underwhelming, managing just one shot, albeit it was a big chance, compared to Benin’s seven shots, one of which saw Mohamed Tijani bury the opening goal in the 16th minute.
However, the Super Eagles were significantly improved in the second half, holding more of the ball and creating plenty of chances. Nigeria had four shots after the break, two of which were registered as big chances, while holding an increased 70% of the ball. Benin did remain dangerous after the break though, adding another five attempts to their tally, including yet another big chance.
Despite Benin continuing to attack, Nigeria were able to hold on to a clean sheet in the second half and eventually found the equaliser when Moses Simon whipped in a delightful cross that Victor Osimhen was able to flick into the far corner, ultimately securing their place at the top of Group D.
In the end, the draw reflected Nigeria’s resilience and ability to adapt and fight back, but it also underscores the recent concerns about their form in past matches. The result leaves the Super Eagles with just two wins in their last seven outings, and they have consistently suffered similar periods of form in recent years, a worry considering the huge pool of talent at their disposal.
The game against Rwanda on Monday is a chance to play without pressure with a hint of experimentation and will be important to end the qualification campaign on a high.
Check out the most markets in Nigeria for the Super Eagles against Rwanda on Monday!
