In a stunning upset, the Benin Republic national team known as the Les Guépards (“The Cheetahs”) have triumphed over the mighty Super Eagles of Nigeria in a World Cup qualifying match played in Abidjan on Monday.
Despite trailing at halftime, which enabled the eagles to initially surge ahead,after Raphael Onyedika’s maiden international goal.
However, a blunder by Calvin Bassey gave Benin’s Jodel Dossou the opportunity to equalize, ultimately resulting in a 2-1 victory for the Cheetahs.
During an injury time in the first half, Brest’s Steve Mounie scored a close-range goal after Nigeria failed to clear a corner kick. Despite being down 2-1 at halftime following goals from Jodel Dossou and Mounie, Benin defended valiantly in the second half against intense pressure from Nigeria to secure a memorable upset.
In the domain of football, Nigeria has historically dominated Benin, emerging victorious in 11 out of their 13 encounters and settling for a draw in the remaining two. However, the situation has taken a turn for the talented Super Eagles in the World Cup qualifiers, as they have faced challenges under the leadership of their new coach, Finidi George. With only 4 points garnered from 4 matches, their performance has been less than impressive.
This unforeseen shift has placed Nigeria in a precarious position, currently holding the fifth position in Group C. They are trailing behind Benin by 4 points, with only 4 games left. Failing to secure a spot in the 2026 World Cup would be a significant setback, especially considering their strong record of qualifying.
In a surprising development, Benin emerged victorious in their most recent encounter, highlighting the skills of their underrated players.
Looking forward to Nigeria’s upcoming matches in March 2025 will pit them against Rwanda in Kigali, followed by a home game against Zimbabwe.
These critical fixtures will undoubtedly challenge the resilience and determination of the Super Eagles as they aim to reverse their fortunes and rekindle their hopes of World Cup qualification.
Author: Mujuni Henry
JUNIITV
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