AFCON Qualifier: Nigeria End Benin's Unbeaten Home Record - FOREFRONT NG AFCON Qualifier, Benin, Nigeria, Record, Squirrels, Super Eagles, Unbeaten

Onauchu’s late-winner gifts Super Eagles 1-0 away win over Squirrels

A late goal by Paul Onuachu helped Nigeria to end Benin Republic’s unbeaten home run since 2013 with a 1-0 victory in their Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier on Saturday.

The last time Benin conceded a home defeat was in a World Cup qualifying match against Algeria in 2013.

For Onuachu, who plies his trade with Genk in Belgium, it is his second goal for the Super Eagles since that debut goal against Egypt two years ago.

With the defeat, the Squirrels’ hopes of qualification now hang in the balance as they must avoid defeat against third-placed Sierra Leone when both teams tackle each other in the last group qualifying matches on Tuesday, March 30, 2021.

Indeed, the atmosphere was edgy inside the Stade Charles de Gaulle and the Super Eagles had to wait till the last minute before grabbing all three points at stake.

However, before the match kick-off in Porto-Novo, Nigeria had already confirmed its qualification for the biennial tournament in Cameroon with other group members, Sierra Leone and Lesotho playing goalless draw in their encounter.

Despite many goal-bound moves, the Gernot Rohr’s men had to wait till the stoppage-time to beat Dijon’s Beninese impressive goalkeeper, Saturnin Allagbe through Onauchu’s header.

The three-time African champions created the most chances in the first-half but always misfired in front of goal. Ola Aina played a fine cross to Henry Onyekuru who controlled the ball with a pass for Kelechi Iheanacho but the Leicester City star was unlucky with his effort.

Some minutes later, Porto’s Zaidu Sanusi drifted past Youssouf Assogba to put in a cross to Onyekuru whose shot was well parried by keeper Allagbe.

While the attacking quartet of Samuel Chukwueze, Victor Osimhen, Onyekuru and Iheanacho battled to give Nigeria the lead in the opening 45 minutes, Benin striker Steve Mounie struggled to break the Super Eagles’ defence.

The hosts registered just a single corner-kick while the Super Eagles had seven corner-kicks before the interval.

It was a lively start to the second 45 minutes and Nigeria started on a promising note with Chukwueze close to finding the back of the net. Four minutes later, Mounie got two chances within a minute to put Michel Dussuyer’s side ahead but goalkeeper Maduka Okoye was in control.

At the other end, Osimhen fired in a right-footed shot which hit the post but Sanusi could not find the target with the rebound. Benin continued with their crosses and Mounie, in the 62nd minute, made a great leap to connect with Assogba’s cross but his header was put out of danger by Okoye.

Gernot Rohr made his first substitution in the 70th minute with Iheanacho making way for Genk’s Onuachu and Benin also had Michael Pote replace Cebio Soukou.

Eight minutes later, the Squirrels made their final substitution as Marcelin Koukpo was introduced for Dossou while Enyimba’s Anayo Iwuala came on for his Super Eagles debut as a substitute for Onyekuru.

Rohr continued with his tactical switch in the 83rd minute by having Chidozie Awaziem replace Aina in his third substitution.

It turned out the German manager actually prepared for a nervy finish to the game with Iwuala close to scoring on his first international outing after Osimhen nearly scored a late winner for Nigeria but his effort was saved by Allagbe.

Nigeria still leads Group L with 11 points from five unbeaten games while Benin are in second place with seven points and Sierra Leone follow in the third spot with four points.

The Super Eagles welcome already eliminated Lesotho to the Teslim Balogun Stadium for their final qualifying match on Tuesday. – With Goal.com reports