Nigeria will be aiming to seal their qualification for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations when they face Benin’s Cheetahs at Stade Félix Houphouët-Boigny on Thursday, Soccernet.ng reports.
Just one point separates the Super Eagles from securing their spot, but a win would provide an emphatic statement, especially in the wake of their challenging journey through the qualifiers.
Meanwhile, Benin has everything to play for, as a win would significantly bolster their chances of joining Africa’s elite in Côte d’Ivoire.
Nigeria enter this contest on a high, having overcome both on-field and off-field challenges.
After a narrow 1-0 win over Libya in Uyo in October, the Super Eagles faced a bizarre sequence of events in the away leg when they were stranded at a Libyan airport for 12 hours, ultimately opting to forfeit the match in protest.
After a CAF investigation, Nigeria were awarded the points, a decision that sees them now leading Group D with 10 points.
For Benin, this clash represents a pivotal moment. Following a loss to Nigeria in their opening match, the Cheetahs responded with back-to-back wins over Libya and Rwanda to keep their qualification hopes alive.
They currently sit in second place with six points, but with Rwanda breathing down their necks, a slip-up could prove costly.
A win, however, would place Benin within touching distance of the 2025 AFCON, offering them momentum heading into their final fixture against Libya.
Interestingly, Nigeria and Benin will qualify for the AFCON in the event of a Cheetahs victory and a Rwandan loss to Libya in Kigali.
Historically, the Super Eagles have dominated this fixture, winning seven of their nine previous meetings with Benin.
Nigeria won comfortably in their last encounter, a 3-0 victory in Uyo, with Ademola Lookman and Victor Osimhen leading the attack.
However, Benin hold a recent edge, having won the last time they hosted Nigeria for a World Cup qualifier in June.
For Benin, a win against their more illustrious neighbours would not only push them closer to qualification but would also mark a significant triumph against a regional powerhouse.
This fixture will be the 10th competitive meeting between the two, with Benin hoping to tip the scales and shift history slightly in their favour.
Benin could face a few selection headaches. Forward Matteo Ahlinvi may be sidelined due to an injury sustained while playing for his club, Vasteras, though his participation remains subject to assessment.
The Cheetahs will rely heavily on Augsburg’s Steve Mounié, who scored the decisive goal in Benin’s last home victory over Nigeria, and Junior Olaitan of Grenoble, both of whom have been key figures in the team’s attack.
The Super Eagles are set to welcome back key players.
Top scorer Victor Osimhen, who missed the last international window due to injury, is ready to return and add firepower to the attack.
Real Sociedad’s Sadiq Umar also returns from a lengthy ACL injury, boosting options up front.
However, Nigeria will be without Semi Ajayi, who has been sidelined due to a muscle injury.
In his absence, Gabriel Osho of Auxerre and Victor Collins of Nasarawa United have been called up to reinforce the defense.
Benin starting XI (4-5-1):
Dandjinou; Moumini, Hountondji, Tijani, Roche; D’Almeida, Imourane, Dossou, Dodo, Olaitan; Mounié
Nigeria starting XI (3-4-3):
Nwabali; Osho, Troost-Ekong, Bassey; Aina, Ndidi, Onyeka, Onyemaechi; Iwobi, Lookman, Osimhen.
Fixture: Benin vs. Nigeria
Competition: Africa Cup of Nations Qualifiers, Group D
Date: Thursday, November 14
Venue: Stade Félix Houphouët-Boigny, Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire
This post was last modified on November 13, 2024 2:09 pm
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