AFCON2022Q - Big Match Stats Pack: Nigeria vs Republic Of Benin

Three-time African champions Nigeria travel to Benin Republic for their reverse fixture in the 2022 Africa Cup of Nations billed for Cameroon, BSNSports.com.ng reports. Gernot Rohr’s men defeated the Squirrels 2-1 in the first leg staged at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo thanks to goals from Victor Osimhen and Samuel Kalu. Having played out an unacceptable goalless draw against Sierra Leone the last time out, the Super Eagles would be going all out for a win which would guarantee them a ticket to their 19th appearance at the biennial African football showpiece. Unbeaten in their last three games, Michel Dussuyer’s team would fancy their chances of stunning the 2013 African champions as they are keen on reaching the finals for the fifth time.

Team News

Nigeria: Coach Gernot Rohr welcomes back captain Ahmed Musa after a two-month injury layoff and there is a return also for the duo of goalkeeper Daniel Akpeyi and defender Kenneth Omeruo after both missed the two friendly games against Ukraine and the Selecao. Rangers Joe Aribo is set to make his competitive debut for Nigeria and Rohr will hope the Gers’ midfielder can replicate his goalscoring exploits during the friendlies. Benin: Coach Michel Dussuyer has named only 14 players who featured at the AFCON finals in the summer, but notable key players Stephane Sessegnon and Steve Mounie are in the 23-man squad. Skipper Stephane Sessegnon, 35, is the most experienced player in the Beninoise team having featured 79 times for the Squirrels. The Gençlerbirliği of Turkey forward is also his country’s ever highest goal scorer with 23 goals. He is one coach Dussuyer will be counting on despite his advanced age. Head-to-Head: Benin’s first ever recorded international match was a 1-0 loss to Nigeria in Dahomey exactly 60 years ago and a mere two weeks after, in the return leg of that fixture in Lagos, the Green Eagles handed their neighbours a 10-1 defeat, Benin’ heaviest till date. This fixture has become a close affair in recent years however, with Nigeria not scoring more than two goals against Benin in the last 15 years. The last time this two met in a CHAN qualifier in 2017, the Super Eagles triumphed 2-0 at the Sani Abacha Stadium, Kano.