Nigeria 2-1 Benin: Super Eagles come from behind to seal AFCON qualifier win

Super Eagles of Nigeria who are three-time African champions on Wednesday, November 13 came back from a goal down to beat visiting Benin Republic 2-1 in 2021 AFCON qualifiers.

Match Report

The Squirrels came to Uyo with big determination of beating Super Eagles of Nigeria having lost their last five encounters against Gernot Rohr's men. 

Benin Republic started the match impressively with nice attacking football, and it took them only five minutes to score their goal at the Godswill Akpabio stadium. 

Stephane Sessegnon scored the goal for Benin Republic as he benefited from a sloppy defending from Super Eagles allowing him to beat helpless Daniel Akpeyi.

Nigeria labored to restore parity after conceding in front of their fans, and they had to wait till the 45th minute before equalizing through Victor Osimhen who netted a penalty after Ola Aina was brought down.

Samuel Kalu scored the winning goal for Nigeria in the 62nd minute as Nigeria recorded maximum three points against Benin Republic.

Group Standing

Match Event

3' GOAL! Nigeria 0-1 Benin (Sessegnon)

Sloppy defending allowed a free Stephane Sessegnon to slot the ball past a stranded Daniel Akpeyi in the box.

45+2' Penalty GOAL! Nigeria 1-1 Benin (Osimhen)

Penalty! Ola Aina was upended in the box. A converted penalty by Osimhen cancels out Stephane 

63' GOAL! Nigeria 2-1 Benin (Kalu)

Kalu waltzed his way into the box and slotted from close range.

Line-ups

Nigeria XI: Akepyi, Aina, Collins, Troost-Ekong (C), Ajayi, Ndidi, Joe Aribo, Iwobi, Chukwueze, Kalu, Osimhen.

Subs: Maduka, Awaziem, Omeruo, Azeez, Musa, Simon, Onuachu

Benin XI: Farnolle; Imorou, Hountondji, Yarou, Assogba; Adeoti; Pote, Sessegnon, D'Almeida, Dossou; Mounie.