International Football
CHAN 2018: To Be or Not To Be for Nigeria?
BY KUNLE SOLAJA.
Is the old order changing? Will Nigeria miss out from another CAF competition for national teams? Will Nigeria pick a qualification ticket in Kano for the very first time?
These are the three crucial questions begging for answers as the Nigerian home-based national team squares up this Saturday, with counterparts from the neighbouring Republic of Benin.
It is the quest for qualification for the African Nations Championships which finals are holding next January in Kenya. Ahead of the second leg duel in the soccer crazy and densely populated ancient city of Kano, Benin Republic comes with a goal advantage, prompting the poser: Is the old order changing?
Last Sunday’s late and surprised 1-0 defeat of Nigeria was the first time ever in 21 clashes that spanned across 58 years that the Nigerian western neighbours won a match against a Nigerian national team.
Before then, it could have been normal that pre-match thoughts would have been on margin of victory rather than a contemplation of draw, let alone a loss.
In fact, Benin Republic over the last decade or so had to build its national teams around Nigerians who defected. Such was the situation that cerebral Nigerian journalist, Ojeikere Aikhoje once wrote an article titled: “The other ‘Super Eagles’ in Benin Republic”.
He enunciated from goalkeeper to several outfield players and concluded that one day, the national team of Benin, the Squirrels, will one day field a complete ‘Republic of Benin Super Eagles’ against Nigeria’s Super Eagles as there were a dozen of Nigerian-born players who have been drafted into the Benin team.
Sports Village Square recalls the last competitive clash of Nigeria and Benin Republic at the 2010 Africa Cup of Nations in Benguela, Angola. Nigeria struggled to get a 1-0 win over Nigerians-powered Benin Republic which had players like Mouri Ogoubiyi (real name: Muri Ogunbiyi), Razack Omotoyossi (Razak Omotoyosi) among others.
So tough was the encounter that Nigeria was saved by a 42nd minute penalty kick converted by Yakubu Aiyegbeni. Before then, virtually every encounter with Benin ended with unmitigated defeat of the Nigerian western neighbours.
Typical results included the 10-1 humiliation in an Nkrumah Cup encounter on November 29, 1959. Recall another 7-0 defeat of February 14, 1977 when Adokiye Amesimaka, as a Law undergraduate at the University of Lagos made his debut international appearance.
The 7-0 defeat was also repeated on the same date the following year with Amesimaka scoring a brace and defender, Godwin Odiye scoring his only goal for Nigeria to atone for an own-goal he scored barely three months earlier.
Even the Nigerian second string national team had also made a mince-meat of Benin when on August 10, 2005 the Benin national team was beaten 6-0 at the Abuja National Stadium.
But is the old order changing? This explains why the Salisu Yusuf boys more look beyond just a two-goal margin win over Benin. Sports Village Square also recalls that another neighbor, Niger Republic eliminated Nigeria in the quest for the 2011 edition.
Nigeria, beware of your neighbours! Recall that the elimination of Nigeria by Niger was completed in Kano on March 27, 2010. Will another dream be buried in Kano this weekend? The home-based Super Eagles must work hard to eliminate Benin and remove any jinx that any adverse result will bring to the football-loving city of Kano.
It was in that city that the dream for the 2006 World Cup literarily died following a 1-1 draw that gave Angola the edge. Niger Republic also held the home-based Super Eagles to a goalless draw in that city seven years ago after having won the first leg 2-0 at home.
Arise, Ikechuwu Ezenwa and others, Nigeria’s call obey!
Nigeria Previous 21 Encounters with Benin Republic
P W D L F A
Nigeria 21 15 5 1 61 9
Benin Rep. 21 1 5 15 9 61
• 8 Nov.1959 (Nkrumah Cup) Benin 0-1 Nigeria
• 29Nov.1959(Nkrumah Cup)Nigeria 10-1 Benin
• 25Jan.1963 (Nkrumah Cup) Benin1-1 Nigeria
• 2 Feb.1963 (Nkrumah Cup) Nigeria 4-1 Benin
• 2 Jan.1965 (AAGq) Nigeria 1-1 Benin *Abandoned
• 11 December. 1965 (F) Nigeria 1-0 Benin
• 27 Feb. 1966 (F) Benin) 1 -2 Nigeria
• 20 Dec. 1972 (F) Nigeria 3- 0 Benin
• 14 Feb. 1977 (F) Nigeria 7- 0 Benin
• 14 Jan.1978 (3 AAGq) Nigeria 7-0 Benin
• 17 Jan.1978 (3AAGq) Nigeria 2-0 Benin
• 14 Oct. 1979 (F) Benin 1-1 Nigeria
• 4 Nov. 1979 (F) Nigeria 5-0 Benin
• 1 Feb. 1987 (SCSA) Benin 1-1 Nigeria
• 30 Sept. 1990 (ACNq) Benin 0-1 Nigeria
• 27 April 1991 (ACNq) Nigeria 3-0 Benin
• 2 Feb 2004 (ACN) Benin 1-2 Nigeria
• 10 Aug, 2005 (F) Nigeria 6-0 Benin
• 28 Jan.2008 (ACN) Benin 0-2 Nigeria
• 16 Jan. 2010 (ACN) Benin 0-1 Nigeria
• 13 Aug. 2017 (Chanq) Benin 1-0 Nigeria
Aliou Cisse has been named coach of the Angola national team, the country’s football federation (FAF) announced on Thursday, 24 hours after the Senegalese left his post in Libya.
The 50-year-old coach, who led Senegal to their maiden Africa Cup of Nations title in 2022, ended his short stint with the Libyan national team on Wednesday, after taking charge in March 2025.
“Welcome, Aliou Cisse, head coach of the Angola national team,” the FAF said on Facebook. Angola, which failed to reach this year’s World Cup, will start their 2027 AFCON qualifying campaign in September.
-Reuters
Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H
Nigeria’s Super Eagles were held to a 2-2 draw by FIFA World Cup-bound Jordan in an eventful international friendly in Antalya on Tuesday night, with the contest overshadowed by a late red card to Alex Iwobi.
Iwobi, making his 98th appearance for the national team, was sent off in the closing stages, capping a dramatic encounter in which Nigeria surrendered a first-half lead and finished the game with ten men.
The match, played at the Mardan Sports Complex, brought Nigeria’s March international window to a close, but it proved anything but routine as both sides delivered a fiercely contested and entertaining clash.
Jordan, ranked 64th in the world and enjoying strong recent form, struck first in the 17th minute through Mousa Tamari. A well-worked free-kick routine caught the Nigerian defence napping, allowing the forward to fire home the opener.
Nigeria responded quickly and thought they had equalised six minutes later when Raphael Onyedika finished from a Moses Simon cut-back, but the goal was controversially ruled out.
The Super Eagles eventually drew level in the 30th minute. Stand-in captain Moses Simon, earning his 97th cap, reacted fastest after Ademola Lookman’s effort was blocked, slotting home with a composed left-footed finish for his second goal in as many matches.
Nigeria went ahead four minutes before halftime when Bright Osayi-Samuel’s pinpoint cross found debutant Emmanuel Fernandez, who showed great composure to control and finish, giving the three-time African champions a 2-1 lead at the interval.
The second half took on a more physical tone, with goalkeeper Francis Uzoho forced off in the 57th minute after sustaining an injury while clearing the ball. Adebayo Adeleye replaced him between the posts.
Head coach Eric Chelle introduced Wilfred Ndidi and Alex Iwobi to shore up the midfield, but Jordan continued to press and were rewarded with an equaliser in the 77th minute.
Nigeria pushed for a winner late on, handing a senior debut to Philip Otele, while Samuel Chukwueze came on for Moses Simon. However, the closing moments were marred by Iwobi’s dismissal, leaving the Super Eagles to see out the match with ten men.
Despite the draw, the encounter offered valuable insights for the coaching crew as Nigeria continues preparations for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H
By Kunle Solaja
Match Context
- Fixture: Jordan vs Nigeria
- Venue: Antalya, Turkey
- Occasion: Four-Nation Invitational Tournament
- Kick-off: Tuesday (evening)
They would have loved facing Jamaica in Mexico today for a place at the World Cup, but fate has other plans, and Nigeria’s Super Eagles will be taking on World Cup debutants Jordan in a friendly match instead in Turkey.
The encounter promises to be a revealing contest for both sides as preparations intensify for future global assignments.
The encounter, staged as part of a four-nation tournament in Turkey, will be the third meeting between the two countries, with the head-to-head record finely poised.
History Beckons in Third Meeting
Nigeria claimed a 2-0 victory in their first clash at the National Stadium, Lagos, on 28 April 2004 during the LG Cup.
However, the tables turned in 2013 when a largely experimental Nigerian side under the late Stephen Keshi suffered a 1-0 defeat in Amman, courtesy of a Hatem Aqel penalty.
This latest meeting now serves as the decider in what has quietly become a balanced rivalry.
Jordan arrive in buoyant mood, riding on the crest of a historic achievement, which is their first-ever qualification for the FIFA World Cup (2026).
Jordan’s Al-Nashama
Their recent form underlines a team growing in confidence and tactical discipline. In the past months, Al-Nashama have:
- Held Russia (0-0)
- Defeated Dominican Republic (3-0)
- Drawn with Mali (0-0)
- Narrowly lost to Bolivia (1-0) and Albania (4-2)
- Pushed Tunisia (3-2 loss) in a competitive encounter
They also opened this invitational tournament with a 2-2 draw against Costa Rica, further evidence of their resilience.
The team’s preparations have been boosted by a morale-lifting visit from Prince Ali bin Al-Hussein, President of the Jordan Football Association, during their Antalya training camp.
Coach Jamal Al-Salami has deliberately scheduled matches against Nigeria and Costa Rica, citing their stylistic similarity to World Cup opponents such as Argentina, Austria, and Algeria.
Despite missing several key players, including star forward Mousa Ta’mari, Jordan have continued to show depth, blending senior players with youth prospects as part of a broader developmental strategy.
Nigeria head into the clash with renewed confidence after a 2-1 victory over Iran in their opening game of the tournament, with goals from Moses Simon and Akor Adams.
Unlike previous meetings, the Super Eagles are expected to field a full-strength squad, packed with Europe-based stars, something Jordanian observers have already described as a “heavyweight challenge.”
The squad boasts a blend of experience and attacking flair.
The presence of multiple attacking options gives Nigeria a clear edge going forward, while their physicality and pace could pose serious problems for the Jordanians.
Jordan are expected to adopt a compact, disciplined shape, relying on quick transitions and defensive organisation, qualities that earned them results against stronger opposition in recent friendlies.
Nigeria, by contrast, will likely dominate possession, using width and individual brilliance to break down Jordan’s defensive lines.
The key battle may lie in midfield, where Jordan’s structure will be tested against Nigeria’s blend of strength, technique, and tempo.
For Jordan, this is another step in fine-tuning a squad preparing for its historic World Cup debut—a chance to measure themselves against elite opposition.
For Nigeria, it is an opportunity to assert authority, build cohesion among its star-studded squad, and maintain momentum ahead of more competitive fixtures.
Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H
Ghana Police Detail How Berekum Chelsea Player Was Killed in Armed Robbery Attack
Ghana player Partey pleads not guilty to additional rape charges in UK
Heineken Ramps Up Champions League Activations as Quarter-Final Drama Peaks
- AFCON6 days ago
Motsepe in Dakar: CAF Intensifies Diplomatic Push After AFCON Final Dispute
- AFCON5 days ago
Shuttle Diplomacy as Motsepe Continues AFCON Final Crisis Talks with Key Visit to Morocco
- Governing Bodies1 week ago
The Building of Another Sports Dynasty: From Fahmy to Adamu
- Nigerian Football1 week ago
A Battle at Both Ends as NPFL Heads Into Home Stretch
- Boxing1 week ago
Wilder edges retiring Chisora in chaotic heavyweight boxing fight
- UEFA Champions League7 days ago
‘Fans More Friends’- Heineken Takes UEFA Champions League Fever Nationwide with Multi-City Fan Experience
- UEFA Champions League6 days ago
Late Havertz strike gives Arsenal 1-0 advantage over Sporting
- World Cup1 week ago
Seven Nations End Long World Cup Droughts Ahead of 2026 Tournament