In a thrilling Africa 2026 World Cup qualifier, Benin pulled off a surprise 2-1 victory over Nigeria in Abidjan, Ivory Coast. Despite Nigeria’s dominant start, Benin capitalized on defensive errors to secure a crucial win.
Nigeria’s Raphael Onyedika opened the scoring with a stunning strike, but Benin equalized through Jodel Dossou and took the lead with Steve Mounie’s goal in added time. Despite a spirited second-half performance, Nigeria failed to break down Benin’s organized defense.
This result is a significant setback for Nigeria’s World Cup qualifying campaign, while Benin’s disciplined performance enhances their qualification prospects. Nigeria must reassess their strategy and improve their defensive organization, while Benin will look to build on this momentum.
The match highlighted the importance of defensive solidity and opportunistic finishing in high-stakes games. Nigeria’s inability to convert chances and maintain defensive shape cost them dearly, while Benin’s resilience and tactical discipline earned them a vital win.
As the qualifiers progress, both teams must refine their strategies to secure a spot in the expanded 2026 World Cup. Nigeria needs to regroup and address their defensive frailties, while Benin will look to maintain their momentum and exploit opponents’ mistakes.
Nigeria vs. Benin match showcased the unpredictability of World Cup qualifiers. Benin’s victory demonstrates their potential as a competitive team in Group C, while Nigeria must learn from their mistakes and improve their overall performance.
