Benin lead the Super Eagles 1-0 by the first half of this 2025 AFCON qualifier.
Big central defender Mohamed Tijani’s headed goal is the difference between both teams going into the break.
Nigeria controlled the game from the kick-off on a rainy day in Abidjan.
Alex Iwobi had a chance to put the Super Eagles in front after just nine minutes after he received a knockdown by Victor Osimhen right inside the six-yard box, but he failed to control the ball.
It was against the run of play that Tijani put the Cheetahs ahead in the 15th minute, when he headed home a short cross beyond a fumbling goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali.
It was poor defending by Nigeria as they allowed Tijani all he space in the world to power home his header.
The goal appeared to have rocked the Super Eagles as Benin came close to doubling their advantage but somehow they survived the scare.
In the 41st minute, Osimhen threw away the biggest chance of the night when he headed home a cross wide with the Benin goalkeeper completely beaten.
There is everything to play for after the break.
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