@EBONYIDAILYNEWS
Despite early scare, ‘Super Eagles’ rally to secure maximum points

Nigeria came from behind to begin their 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier campaign with a 2-1 victory over Benin on Wednesday.



The game played at the Godswill Akpabio stadium saw Victor Osimhen cancel Stephane Sessegnon's opener before Samuel Kalu sealed victory for the Super Eagles.

With the game lacking proper television coverage fans outside the stadium were disappointed not to be able to see the game on cable TV.

Benin immediately took the lead when Joel Dossou brilliantly goes past Jamilu Collins before squaring for Stephane Sessegnon who scores two minutes after kickoff.


Samuel Chukwueze with his first contribution of the game in the 8th minute skips past his marker but his square pass evades everyone inside the box.

As Nigeria gradually work their way into the game, Alex Iwobi sets up Ola Aina whose left-footed effort is well saved by Benin GK Farnolle.

As the first half entered it's final five minutes, Victor Osimhen with a brilliant hold-up play before releasing Samuel Chukwueze. The Villarreal starlet's attempt to find the top corner comes off the crossbar and into safety.

Nigeria got a penalty when Aina did a one-two with Joe Aribo and found his way inside the box, but the defender was brought down.

Osimhen made no mistake when he stepped up to the spot-kick to give Nigeria the equaliser before the break.

On resumption for the second half, the Super Eagles did not drop the tempo as they continue to trouble Benin's defence with many questions.

Samuel Kalu got an answer two minutes after the hour-mark with a superb solo effort to give Nigeria the lead for the first time in the game.

Benin shortly had a good chance to equalise but were denied by the crossbar when Samuel Kalu carelessly gives the ball away and Mickael Pôte's effort hit the post.

Nigeria made the first change 15 minutes from time and it was Chidozie Awaziem who replaced Aina before Moses Simon comes on for second goal scorer Samuel Kalu.

The new entrants boosted Nigeria's formation as they prevented Benin from finding their way back.

It ended 2-1 to Nigeria at the end of 90 minutes.

https://ebonyidailynews.com/2019/11/13/despite-early-scare-super-eagles-rally-to-secure-maximum-points/

J

At a point I left the watching of the match and began to think on how Nigeria has gone from bad to worst based on the horrible picture we were getting from NTA .

Honestly, we have problems in this country and it seems, we're still very far from getting out of them.

instead of attending to relevant and pressing needs... they are busy with hate speech bill tufiakwa