Benin vs Nigeria, 2026 World Cup Qualifying - CAF, Group Stage
· FIFA World Cup Qualifying - CAFAbout
Match Timeline
- 0': Lineups are announced and players are warming up.
- 0': First Half begins.
- 27': Goal! Benin 0, Nigeria 1. Raphael Onyedika (Nigeria) right footed shot from the centre of the box to the centre of the goal. Assisted by Samuel Chukwueze.
- 37': Goal! Benin 1, Nigeria 1. Jodel Dossou (Benin) right footed shot from the centre of the box to the centre of the goal.
- 44': Substitution, Benin. Aiyegun Tosin replaces Jodel Dossou.
- 45': Fourth official has announced 4 minutes of added time.
- 45'+3': Goal! Benin 2, Nigeria 1. Steve Mounié (Benin) right footed shot from the centre of the box to the centre of the goal. Assisted by Mohamed Tijani.
- 45'+4': First Half ends, Benin 2, Nigeria 1.
- 45': Second Half begins Benin 2, Nigeria 1.
- 51': Substitution, Nigeria. Paul Onuachu replaces Alex Iwobi.
- 51': Substitution, Nigeria. Victor Boniface replaces Terem Moffi.
- 60': Substitution, Nigeria. Ibrahim Olawoyin replaces Samuel Chukwueze.
- 60': Substitution, Nigeria. Sodiq Ismail replaces Bright Osayi-Samuel.
- 79': Substitution, Nigeria. Alhassan Yusuf replaces Wilfred Ndidi.
- 87': Substitution, Benin. Mattéo Ahlinvi replaces Junior Olaïtan.
- 90': Fourth official has announced 6 minutes of added time.
- 90'+3': Sodiq Ismail (Nigeria) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
- 90'+7': Second Half ends, Benin 2, Nigeria 1.
- 0': Match ends, Benin 2, Nigeria 1.
Game Information
Venue: Felix Houphouet-Boigny
Location: Abidjan, Ivory Coast
Attendance: 9,000
WCQ - CAF Table
| # | TEAM | GP | GD | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | South Africa | 10 | +6 | 18 |
| 2 | Nigeria | 10 | +7 | 17 |
| 3 | Benin | 10 | +1 | 17 |
| 4 | Lesotho | 10 | -3 | 12 |
Line-Ups
Benin (4-1-4-1)
| No. | Name |
|---|---|
| 1 | Marcel Dandjinou (GK) |
| 13 | Mohamed Tijani |
| 4 | Cédric Hountondji |
| 15 | Sessi D'Almeida |
| 12 | David Kiki |
| 11 | Rachid Moumini |
| 8 | Hassane Imourane |
| 19 | Dodo Dokou |
| 18 | Junior Olaitan |
| 20 | Jodel Dossou |
| 9 | Steve Mounié |
Nigeria (4-2-3-1)
| No. | Name |
|---|---|
| 23 | Stanley Nwabali (GK) |
| 21 | Calvin Bassey |
| 6 | Semi Ajayi |
| 12 | Bright Osayi-Samuel |
| 5 | Benjamin Tanimu |
| 17 | Alex Iwobi |
| 15 | Raphael Onyedika |
| 4 | Wilfred Ndidi |
| 9 | Terem Moffi |
| 7 | Ademola Lookman |
| 11 | Samuel Chukwueze |
WCQ - CAF News
Goalkeeper Maduka Okoye has been recalled to the Nigeria squad ahead of this week's CAF 2026 FIFA World Cup Play-off Tournament in Morocco after serving a two-month suspension for his part in an illegal betting scheme.
Victor Boniface says he feels 'unlucky' with the Nigerian national team, after scoring just one goal in 13 appearances for the Super Eagles, even when his club form put him as one of Africa's brightest attacking prospects.
Heading into AFCON, on the back of qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, South Africa have developed a winning instinct that was lacking before, says defender Thabo Moloisane.
Adidas has released a huge batch of home kits for 22 countries, many of whom have either qualified or still hope to qualify for the FIFA 2026 World Cup.
Africa's World Cup qualifying campaign has seen nine teams secure their places at next year's tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico. However, for four CAF teams, including Nigeria, there's still a glimmer of hope.