AFCON qualifiers: Super Eagles go for defining victory in Benin Republic

ALTHOUGH the Squirrels of Benin Republic are hard nuts to crack on their home turf, the Super Eagles are aiming for victory in Porto Novo today.

The two teams clash in the Beninoise port city with a win for either side guaranteeing passage to the Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon next year. 

The Squirrels have not lost at home in eight years but they are facing a Super Eagles side keen to end their own longest winless run. Gernot Rohr’s side have failed to win any of their last four matches, drawing three and losing one, the kind of streak they are not used to.

All the Super Eagles need to be sure of qualifying for their first back-to-back AFCONS since 2010 is to avoid defeat to the desperate Beninoise, but the Nigerians have said they want to go all out for victory.

Nigeria lead the group with eight points from four matches, followed by Benin with seven, Sierra Leone with three and Lesotho with two.

The Super Eagles, brimming with talent from Europe’s top leagues, might not even need any points from the Porto Novo game if Sierra Leone fail to beat Lesotho in Maseru earlier today.

However, victory is all the Nigerians are keen on, to banish the memories of their embarrassing 4-4 draw with Sierra Leone in Benin City in November. 

“We are not looking at what happens in Lesotho,” Super Eagles captain Ahmed Musa said. “It is not necessary for us to bother ourselves with what they play. Our focus is to get the three points in Porto Novo and wrap up qualification. Three points will get us to Cameroon no matter what anyone plays, and that is what we are determined to get.”

The Super Eagles defeated Benin Republic 2-1 in the reverse fixture in Uyo in November 2019 and the Squirrels will be gunning for revenge in Porto Novo.

Sparta Rotterdam goalkeeper Maduka Okoye is not bothered though, insisting that only a win would satisfy the Super Eagles.

The young goalkeeper admits the two draws against Sierra Leone still hurt but promised that the team will make amends by beating both Benin Republic and Lesotho.

Fulham defender Ola Aina is also determined to come away from Benin Republic with the three points.

“As strange as it sounds, I believe everyone’s moved on from that Sierra Leone game but the lessons learned stay with us,” the former Chelsea full-back told BBC Sport Africa.

“We travel to Benin with all seriousness, we’ll go there and try to win the game before hosting Lesotho at home.”

Super Eagles coach Gernot Rohr has the likes of Napoli striker Victor Osimhen, Leicester City pair Wilfred Ndidi and Kelechi Iheanacho as well as Scottish Premiership-winning Rangers duo Leon Balogun and Joe Aribo to call on.

The German wants his side to start winning again after the lengthy dry spell.

“I am keen for the winning mentality; we need it very much and when we rediscover it, we must keep it,” Rohr said.

Nigeria Football Federation President Amaju Pinnick also joined the must-win chorus, saying: “I believe the Eagles will not only win in Porto Novo, they will come back and beat Lesotho and still play many more matches in Lagos going forward.”

The Super Eagles will host Lesotho at the Teslim  Balogun Stadium in Lagos on Tuesday to wrap up the AFCON qualifying campaign.