Nigeria Super Eagles Beats Benin 1-0, Qualifies For AFCON 2021

The Super Eagles of Nigeria has qualified for the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) scheduled for Cameroon, ahead of their Match Day 5 fixture, after beating Republic of Benin 1-0.

The Eagles had already qualified before then with  Sierra Leone’s goalless draw with Lesotho on Saturday, March 27.

Lesotho hosted Sierra Leone in the earlier fixture at the Setsoto Stadium in Maseru, drawing 0-0.

This meant table-toppers Nigeria with eight points have secured their 2021 AFCON ticket, while Benin Republic with seven points can also ensure qualification.

But this will be if they get a draw against visiting Super Eagles.

Sierra Leone, with four points, occupied the third spot on the log.

They will be counting on the Super Eagles to do them the favour of beating the Squirrels in Port Novo.

In that match, the Super Eagles of Nigeria recorded a 1-0 win over the Squirrels of Benin.

Paul Onuachu headed home a rebound after a goal-mouth scramble following a corner kick in stoppage time as Nigeria leave the country with maximum points.

Gernot Rohr’s confirmed qualification for the continental showpiece after Lesotho and Sierra Leone played goalless draw earlier in the day.

Nigeria’s victory over Benin Republic will give the Leone Stars a slim hope of qualification heading into their penultimate round fixture.

The Leone Stars host the Squirrels at the National Stadium in Freetown, on Tuesday.

Bottom-placed Lesotho with three points are out of the race and will be playing for pride against the Super Eagles at the Teslim Balogun Stadium in Lagos, also on Tuesday.

GROUP L P W D L Pts

1. Nigeria 4 2 2 0 8

2. Benin 4 2 1 1 7

3. Sierra Leone 5 0 4 1 4

4. Lesotho 5 0 3 2 3

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