Super Eagles depart for Abidjan to face Benin after surpassing ugly 64-year record against South Africa

The Nigeria men’s national team will head to Abidjan today for their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Benin Republic on Monday evening, Soccernet.ng reports.

This follows the Super Eagles’ disappointing draw with South Africa at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo on Friday night.

The match against Benin will be held at the Stade Felix Houphouet-Boigny in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire, where the Super Eagles earlier had success during the Africa Cup of Nations this year.

Benin, known as the Cheetahs, are coached by former Super Eagles manager Gernot Rohr, who left his position with Nigeria under controversial circumstances.

During the game in Uyo, South Africa took the lead in the first half with a stunning goal by Themba Zwane.

The Super Eagles responded in the second half with an equalizer from Hatayspor midfielder Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, but despite several opportunities, the home team could not secure a win.

The draw leaves Nigeria with three points in Group C, behind Lesotho, who lead with five points after defeating Zimbabwe 2-0. South Africa, Benin, and Rwanda each have four points.

The Super Eagles must win their next match to keep their World Cup hopes alive after failing to qualify for the last tournament in Qatar in 2022.

The draw against South Africa is the first time since 1960 – 64 years ago – that Nigeria have gone six World Cup qualifiers without a win.

The Super Eagles’ last win in a World Cup qualifier was a 2-0 triumph over Liberia at the Grand Stade de Tanger, Morocco, in November 2021.

Victor Osimhen and Ahmed Musa were the goal scorers for Nigeria on the day with Gernot Rohr still in charge of the Super Eagles bench. Osimhen and Musa are not in the squad for the game against Rohr’s Benin on Monday.

Since that win, the Super Eagles have only managed draws against Cape Verde, Ghana (twice), Lesotho, Zimbabwe, and South Africa.

Head coach Finidi George will look to end that rotten run of results in Abidjan against Benin, an opponent that has found no joy playing against Nigeria.

The Nigeria senior men’s national team has won all but two of their previous 14 clashes against Benin with no record of a defeat.