2026 World Cup qualifiers: Super Eagles without victory after four games

Nigeria’s Super Eagles’ hopes of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup suffered a significant setback following a 2-1 defeat to Benin on Monday.

Nigeria who entered the qualifiers as Group C favorites, have failed to secure a victory in their first four matches, leaving them with only three points. In contrast, Benin leads the group with seven points.

The match, originally scheduled to be played in Cotonou, was relocated to Abidjan in Ivory Coast due to the unfit condition of Benin’s home stadium. Despite the venue change, Benin delivered a strong performance against Nigeria.

Nigeria took an early lead when Raphael Onyedika scored in the 27th minute, capitalising on a brief hesitation to find the net.

However, Jodel Dossou equalised in the 37th minute, sprinting onto a breakaway chance but sustaining a hamstring injury in the process, which forced him to leave the field shortly after scoring the equaliser. Steve Mounié secured the victory for Benin with a back-post header, exploiting a lapse in Nigeria’s defense.

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— Soar Super Eagles (@SSE_NGA) June 10, 2024

The defeat was particularly poignant for Benin’s coach, Gernot Rohr, who was dismissed by Nigeria three years ago just before the Africa Cup of Nations finals.

At the final whistle, Rohr was hoisted onto the shoulders of his players, celebrating a triumphant and emotionally charged win.

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The Super Eagles’ poor run of form has placed their World Cup qualifying campaign in jeopardy. The top team from each of the nine African groups will secure a spot in the 2026 World Cup in North America, with the best runner-up also having a chance through a playoff system.

The fourth round of Africa’s World Cup qualifying group matches will conclude on Tuesday, with the stakes higher than ever for teams vying for a coveted spot in the global tournament.