Nigeria’s Super Eagles were defeated 2-1 by Benin Republic in the fourth round of the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers on Monday.

Nigeria took the lead in the 29th minute thanks to Raphael Onyedika’s attempt to the right corner of the post.

However, Jodel Dossou of Benin tied the game with a well-placed shot after the Super Eagles made a defensive mistake.

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Benin took the lead just before halftime thanks to Steve Mounie’s right-footed strike from a corner.

Despite the introductions of Victor Boniface, Paul Onuachu, and Ibrahim Olawoyin, among others, the Super Eagles fell in the second half. Nigeria was unable to tie.

Finidi George, the head coach, chose Terem Moffi and Ademola Lookman to lead the attack, while Boniface was benched.

Stanley Nwabali, the goalkeeper for the Super Eagles, took the pitch. Bassey, Tanimu, Ajayi, and Osayi-Samuel lined up on defence.

Meanwhile, Ndidi, Onyeka, and Iwobi began in midfield. Chukwueze, Lookman, and Moffi led the onslaught.

The substitutions are Iheanacho, Boniface, Onuachu, Abdullahi, Dele-Bashiru, Onyeka Awaziem, Olawoyin, Igboke, Ismaila, Okoye (GK), and Ojo (GK).

Meanwhile, the outcome of this match takes Nigeria to fifth place in the six-team table, while Benin Republic rises to first.

Nigeria has lost one and drew three of its four matches.

Last Friday, pressure rose on the Super Eagles when they drew 1-1 with South African team Bafana Bafana in the third round of the 2026 World Cup qualifier.

South Africa’s Themba Zwane opened the scoring in the 29th minute of the encounter at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.

In the 46th minute, Nigerian Fisayo Dele-Bashiru equalised with a low shot to the edge of the post following a wonderful spin.

The match came to a tie.