2026 World Cup dream uncertain for Nigeria as Super Eagles lose to Benin Republic
The possibility of securing a qualification ticket for the 2026 World cup in USA,Mexico and Canada is now getting more difficult for the Super Eagles of Nigeria following their 1-2 loss to Benin Republic on Monday.
It was Super Eagles first loss in the qualifiers round and the result has further pushed them second from the bottom of Group C with three points from four matches.
The Beninnese team is led by former Super Eagles coach Gernot Rohr. With the result, they go top of the standings on seven points.
Brentford midfielder, Raphael Onyedika gave the Super Eagles the lead in the 27th minute to crown a bright start for the visitors, but the tide of the game will soon change to the Cheetahs who drew level in the 36th minutes.
Jodel Dossou had profited from a defensive blunder from Calvin Bassey and wasted no time to slot the ball past Stanley Nwabali in the Nigeria goal.
The Cheetahs would later steal the show totally as the match drifted to stoppage time through skipper Steve Mounie, whose flick off a corner earned them a deserved win.
Nigeria will resume the qualifying round in October when they host Benin Republic in the returning leg where they will push for a redemption.
While the possibility of Super Eagles winning the group is very unlikely, picking a second place will also see them go through a tortuous play-off series that will involve four best second placed teams among nine on the Africa qualification chart.
The four best second placed teams will go into a play-off while the winner will further go into an inter-continental play-off to get to the World Cup
