Joel Ajayi
It has gone from bad to worse for Nigeria in the 2026 World Cup qualifying series after they fell 2-1 to Benin Abidjan tonight.
It was the first loss for the Super Eagles in the qualifiers and they languish second from bottom of Group C with three points from four matches.
Benin, led by former Super Eagles coach Gernot Rohr, shot to the top of the standings on seven points.
Raphael Onyedika gave the Super Eagles the lead in the 27th minute to crown a bright start for the visitors.
Samuel Chukwueze darted inside the box from the right flank before he found Onyedika on the edge of the box and the Club Brugge midfielder fired home an unstoppable shot beyond the diving Benin goalkeeper Marcel Dandjinou.
Benin drew level in the 36th minute, when Calvin Bassey failed to clear a long ball and Jodel Dossou sprinted clear to slot past Stanley Nwabali in the Nigeria goal.
The Cheetahs then went in front in stoppage time through skipper Steve Mounie, who put away a flick off a corner from inside the six-yard box.
