Benin vs Nigeria Preview: Eagles eye first WCQ win against Rohr’s side in Abidjan

By Oyediji Oluwaseun Babatunde

Nigeria’s senior men’s national team take their three match winless run in the 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers to Abidjan, Cote D’Ivoire capital when they faces Benin Republic on Monday.

In a familiar terrain and only three points from their first three matches of the campaign, going up against the Cheetahs who boast four points, the Eagles know they must fire on all cylinders and recreate the happy moments of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) at the Stade Felix Houphouet-Boigny.

The Super Eagles won all three matches played there during the Africa Cup of Nations finals earlier in the year.

In terms of form, Benin Republic have won one of their last five games being their 1-0 victory over Rwanda in their last group match in Abidjan.

Finidi George’s side have won two of their last five games but seriously need a win against their former coach, Gernot Rohr who is in charge of the Cheetahs.

When it comes to head-to-head, the Super Eagles have won the last five encounters between both sides.

They secured a 2-1 win at the 2004 AFCON and a 2-0 success at the 2008 AFCON before a 1-0 victory at 2010 AFCON with Yakubu Aiyegbeni’s 42nd minute penalty separating both sides.

In 2019, goals from Victor Osimhen who will miss this game and Samuel Kalu lifted the three time African champions to a 2-1 win after Stephane Sessegnon had given the visitors the lead in Uyo.

Two years later in both sides last meeting, Paul Onuachu who played the first leg and is in the squad scored a late winner in Cotonou to win the AFCON Qualifiers.

After three straight draws in the group and without a win alongside bottom of the log Zimbabwe, a win is non negotiable for George’s side here.

A victory here will push them to the top and start their quest to qualify for the World Cup in a tricky group where all team stand the chance of qualifying.