Julius OkorieSuper Eagles’ desire to pocket the three maximum points at stake, against Benin Republic in the ongoing World Cup qualify hit the rocks with a bang on Monday in Abidjan.
Contrary to predictions by book makers, that the Super Eagles will chain the Cheetahs of Benin Republic, who incidentally are playing on a neutral ground, the Gernot Rohr tutored side, shocked the Eagles courtesy of a 2-1 defeat at the Felix Houphouet-Boigny Stadium.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelThe Eagles had shot into the lead in the 27th minute of the match, thanks to Club Brugge ace, Raphael Onyedika, after enjoying an assist from Samuel Chukwueze, raising hope of a possible goal feast in favour of the Finidi George tutored side.
But the strike instead turned out to be a wakeup call for the Cheetahs, who pulled one back ten minutes later via Jodel Harold Oluwafemi Dossou. Just when it looked as though the first half was going to end in a 1-1 draw, Cheetah’s Steve Michel Mounié, found the net at the dot of 45th minute to the delight of former Super Eagles and now Cheetahs coach, Gernot Rohr, who reminded his boys that it is not over.
Returning to the second half with renewed hope and faith, the Eagles dug deep with intent to turn the table, but the Cheetahs refused to crumble and held on protecting their hard-won lead to the end. The defeat marks the second in 17 matches that the Eagles will be losing to their Beninoise neighbours. The Eagles had a record of 13 wins, two draws and a loss against Benin before today’s encounter.
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With this result, the Super Eagles will now have to hope that times and tide favour them in the remain set of matches that will conclude the qualifiers and determine who plays at the next World Cup to be hosted by USA, Canada and Mexico in 2026.
The Eagles still have six matches, three at home and three away to determine their fate, beginning with away match against Amavubi of Rwanda on March 17, 2025.
Other fixtures lined up as part of the World Cup qualifiers are;
Nigeria vs Zimbabwe, March 25
Nigeria vs Rwanda, September 1
South Africa vs Nigeria, September 8
Lesotho vs Nigeria October 6, and finally, Nigeria vs Benin Republic, October 13.
Julius Okorie is Chief Sports and Entertainment Correspondent for Prime Business Africa. He began his journalism career with the Champion Newspaper and Sporting Champion and later moved on to Daily Independent and the Nation Newspapers. Okorie joined Prime Business Africa in 2024 bringing on board 20 years of experience in writing investigative news on Sports and Entertainment. His well researched and highly informative articles on Sports Business and general entertainment are followed by a wide range of audience.
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