Nigeria and Benin Republic played to a 1-1 draw in a friendly match, with both teams showcasing their strength in an evenly contested encounter. The match, which took place at the Stade de l’Amitié in Cotonou, saw the Super Eagles and their hosts share the spoils after 90 minutes of action.
Benin Republic opened the scoring in the first half, taking advantage of a defensive lapse from Nigeria to go 1-0 up. The home team’s attack capitalized on a misjudgment by the Nigerian defenders, and they were able to break the deadlock. However, the Super Eagles responded well after the break, pressing higher up the pitch and creating several scoring chances.
Nigeria’s persistence paid off in the second half when forward Victor Osimhen, continuing his strong form, leveled the score with a clinical finish after a well-executed counterattack. The goal gave the Nigerian side renewed energy, but despite their best efforts, they couldn’t find a winner in the final stages of the match.
The draw leaves both teams with mixed feelings—Benin Republic will be satisfied with their performance, having held one of Africa’s strongest teams, while Nigeria will likely feel they should have come away with all three points. Despite the result, the friendly provided valuable preparation for both teams as they continue their build-up for upcoming competitive fixtures.
Both teams will now turn their attention to future challenges, with Nigeria looking ahead to their AFCON qualifiers and Benin Republic preparing for their own continental campaigns. While the match ended in a draw, it offered both teams important lessons and opportunities to refine their tactics ahead of more significant matches.
