The Super Eagles will start off 2021 with the last couple of games left for them in their 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers campaign.
The first of the two potentially crucial games will see the Nigerian side visit close neighbours Benin Republic – an improved side who are impressively placed 2nd and just one point off leaders Nigeria.
Indeed, Gernot Rohr’s men need just one point from any of the remaining two games to earn qualification to continental competition, having already garnered eight points from four games in Group L.
Incidentally, these West African sides began their qualification campaign with an interesting face-off at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo back in November 2019. Stephane Sessegnon gave the Francophone side a shock lead barely five minutes into the game but the Nigerian side responded well and got a hard-fought 2-1 victory courtesy of a well-taken spot-kick by Victor Osimhen just before the interval, and a beautiful solo goal from Samuel Kalu later on in the second period.
But since the loss to their stronger neighbours in Uyo, Benin have impressively managed to go five games unbeaten (3W, 2D) and their decent run of form would be a cause for concern for Rohr’s men who, in contrast, are seeking to return to winning ways after failing to record victory in any of their four games (3D, 1L) in 2020.
Predictions
In terms of team quality, these two sides are admitably top two in Group L. Their forthcoming encounter billed for Porto Novo on Saturday will most likely be another quite close contest just like the reverse game.
The Beninese side have proven to be quite formidable while on home grounds over the years. In fact, the last time they lost a game at home was way back in 2013 (a 3-1 loss to Algeria in their World Cup qualification campaign). In the seven years between then and now, they’ve played 22 home games (15W, 7D) and have managed to avoid defeat even against powerhouses like Cameroon, Algeria and even Nigeria.
Definitely, they will be quite a handful for Rohr and his men, but a draw is all the Nigerian side actually needs. You can trust them to get that, at least.
Meanwhile, you shouldn’t expect a high-scoring game judging by Benin’s strict result-oriented strategy in this qualifiers. They don’t concede much (in fact, they have only conceded two goals so far, both in the reverse game against Nigeria) and they don’t score a lot as well.
Betting Tips
- Nigeria to win or draw —26 odds
- HT/FT: Tie/Nigeria — 4.90 odds
- Half With Most Goals: 2nd Half — 2.10 odds
Nigeria Team News
Sadiq Umar, Kenneth Omeruo and Moses Simon, who were all named in Nigeria’s 24-man squad list, have pulled out due to restrictions imposed by their respective club sides owing to COVID-19 fears. Bordeaux winger Samuel Kalu is also unavailable through injury.
Belgian Pro League top scorer Paul Onuachu as well as the home-based duo of Anayo Iwuala and Adeleke Adekunle were the players handed late invitations to fill up the void in the squad.
Benin Team News
The Squirrels captain Sessegnon, who scored the early opener for the Benin side in the reverse fixture in 2019, did not make the cut for Michael Dussuyer’s 23-man squad this time. The 36-year-old has been without a club since last summer when he was released by Turkish side Genclerbirligi.
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