The possibility of the Super Eagles of Nigeria qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup looks uncertain following the abysmal display of the Coach Finidi George-team leading to their 2-1 loss to the Squirrels of Benin Republic.
Many soccer fans had thought that Super Eagles would redeem its image after playing a 1-1 draw against the Bafana Bafana of South Africa at the Godswill Obot Akpabio Stadium in Uyo, Akwa Ibom. Surprisingly, a compact Beninoise team came all out for the Super Eagles and showed that they are no pushovers.
Nigeria had taken the lead in the 24th minute courtesy of a powerful strike from Raphael Onyedika, but the Benin Republic team equalized through Jodel Dossou, before Steve Mounie added the second in stoppage time to give the less fancied West African side the lead.
At the resumption of the second half, the Super Eagles managed to create some chances after the introduction of Victor Boniface and Paul Onuachu, but this did not metamorphose into anything meaningful as the Beninoise team defended well and curtailed the excesses of the Super Eagles.
The match ended 2-1 as former Super Eagles Coach, Gernot Rohr, who is the coach of the Squirrels of Benin Republic was lifted shoulder high for recording a famous victory.
With the victory, Benin Republic has gone top of the Log with Seven Points, awaiting the outcome of the other two matches between Zimbabwe and South Africa; Lesotho and Rwanda.
Nigeria still remains on Fifth position but could go bottom of the table depending on the outcome of the other matches to be played Tuesday.
The qualification of the Super Eagles now hangs in the balance.
