Nigeria’s Super Eagles on Wednesday defeated the Squirrels of Benin Republic 2-1 in the opening Group L match of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier in Uyo, Akwa Ibom.
The Super Eagles came from behind to win the encounter after conceding an early goal in the 3rd minute of the encounter.
Goooal for the Squirrels.
0-1#AFCON2021Q #NGABEN #SoarSuperEagles #Team9jaStrong.— 🇳🇬 Super Eagles (@NGSuperEagles) November 13, 2019
A sloppy defending allowed a free Stephane Sessegnon to slot the ball past a stranded Daniel Akpeyi in the box.
Victor Osimhen scored from the penalty box before halftime to restore parity.
Penalty!
Ola Aina was upended in the box.#NGABEN#AFCON2021Q #SoarSuperEagles #Team9jaStrong.— 🇳🇬 Super Eagles (@NGSuperEagles) November 13, 2019
Samuel Kalu will later seal the victory for the team in the 65th minute.
2-1!
Kalu waltzed his way into the box and slotted from close range.
Deserved lead.— 🇳🇬 Super Eagles (@NGSuperEagles) November 13, 2019
The Squirrels nearly drew level but the effort hit the cross bar.
The visitors were almost level after some nonchalance in our play.
They hit the crossbar.
Substitution
Ola Aina out, Awaziem in.
2-1.#NGABEN#AFCON2021Q #SoarSuperEagles #Team9jaStrong.— 🇳🇬 Super Eagles (@NGSuperEagles) November 13, 2019
FT: 2-1
It ends here at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium, Uyo.
It is a winning start for us in this campaign.#NGABEN#AFCON2021Q #SoarSuperEagles #Team9jaStrong.— 🇳🇬 Super Eagles (@NGSuperEagles) November 13, 2019
Nigeria top the group following a 1-1 draw played in the encounter between Sierra Leon and Lesotho in Freetown.
In other matches, Guinea Bissau rattled Eswatini 3-0 in Group I, Central African Republic thrashed Burundi 2-0 in E, while Malawi ran away with a lone goal victory over South Africa in Group B.
Elsewhere, Cameroon ended their encounter in Group F with Cape Verde 0-0, while Namibia overpowered Chad 2-1 in Group A.
