Report on the Match

[Tobi17]

https://africanfootball.com/news/774393 ... of-Group-L

Nigeria got their 2021 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualifying campaign off the perfect start with a 2-1 win over Benin at Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo on Wednesday evening.


Victory moves the Super Eagles top of Group L after one round of fixtures, with Sierra Leone and Lesotho having played out a 1-1 draw in Freetown at the same time.


Benin silenced the home crowd as Stephane Sessegnon fired the visitors into an early lead. A lapse in concentration set up the former Premier League attacker for an easy finish as he fired home past Daniel Akpeyi with just five minutes on the clock.


Nigeria improved as the half went on and after Samuel Chukwueze rattled the woodwork, the Super Eagles were handed a golden chance to level matters on the cusp of half-time after Ola Aina was bundled over in the penalty area.


Lille’s Victor Osimhen stepped up to the spot and continued his goal-scoring form to draw the two teams level in first-half stoppage time.


Samuel Kalu sealed all three points in the 63rd minute following a superb solo effort as Nigeria now turn their attention to Lesotho, who they will face in Maseru on Sunday.


Next up for Benin is a home fixture versus Sierra Leone this coming weekend.

[Tobi17]

Another one

https://www.allnigeriasoccer.com/read_n ... ?nid=34329

Nigeria produced an impressive comeback at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium after coming from behind to beat Benin Republic 2-1 in their opening group game of the 2021 African Cup of Nations qualifiers on Wednesday evening.

Gernot Rohr made three changes to the side that executed the last international game versus Brazil, with Daniel Akpeyi, Ola Aina and Samuel Kalu afforded starting spots in Uyo.

Nigeria suffered a blow after just three minutes in when some sloppy defending allowed Stephane Sessegnon to slot past Daniel Akpeyi and put the visitors ahead.

Nigeria flew out at their opponents after the setback, with Samuel Chukwueze and Alex Iwobi looking particularly dangerous, and the former could have gotten the equaliser when he struck the frame with his shot.

The leveller eventually arrived from the spot just before the break, after Iwobi played in Ola Aina who was brought down by Nabil Yarou in the area. Victor Osimhen duly stepped up and sent Fabien Farnolle the wrong way.

Rohr's team upped their ante after the restart and the pressure they sustained on the opposition soon paid off when Samuel Kalu took on the opposition defence in breathtaking style before bending a low shot into the bottom left corner in the 63rd minute.

The Squirrels however, nearly grabbed an equaliser late on when Jordel Dossou pranced through the Nigerian defence and crashed a powerful shot off the under side of the crossbar.

However, Farnolle was still required to palm away a sizzling drive from Iwobi in the closing stages, and that was as good as it got for Nigeria who thus, opened their qualifying adventure with a victory.

Nigeria's starting XI: Akpeyi, Ajayi, Troost-Ekong, Aina, Collins, Ndidi, Aribo, Iwobi, Kalu, Chukwueze, Osimhen.

[EMIR KONGI JAFFI JOFFA]

See us in 2019.
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[bushboy]

See us in 2019.
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[maceo4]

We had a game today? lolol

[maceo4]

See us in 2019.
[/video]

Mschew waiting on proper highlights, what is this sef...

[Robbynice]

But guys was making it sound like Akpeyi was at fault for Benin's goal...Na wa oh...smdh

[walesvilla]

this looks like a better highlight clips - make u na maange am

[Tobi17]

this looks like a better highlight clips - make u na maange am

You try abeg, half bread is better than puff puff.... Judging by the highlight... It seems the boys had some good attacking moments and had the Beninoise defence on the back foot for the best moments... more goals would have been scored if better decisions were made in the final third... they need to cut off the show-boating sometimes and make the easy pass for an open player.

[bushboy]

this looks like a better highlight clips - make u na maange am

Who was that fool who took a pass after good hold up play from Osimhen, instead of shooting, decided to return the pass to Victor to shoot from a worse angle?!

[Bigpokey24]

[/video]

[maceo4]

this looks like a better highlight clips - make u na maange am

Who was that fool who took a pass after good hold up play from Osimhen, instead of shooting, decided to return the pass to Victor to shoot from a worse angle?!

Aribo? Anyways good stuff, 3 points all that matters, looks like we were the better team overall

[Damunk]

this looks like a better highlight clips - make u na maange am

You try abeg, half bread is better than puff puff.... Judging by the highlight... It seems the boys had some good attacking moments and had the Beninoise defence on the back foot for the best moments... more goals would have been scored if better decisions were made in the final third... they need to cut off the show-boating sometimes and make the easy pass for an open player.

A lot of the time, not just sometimes.
Seems Chukwueze lets it get to his head. He is young but he needs to act maturely and professionally.
With all the attacking possession they only scored twice.

Well done to the boys sha, but....
"Can do better"

[EMIR KONGI JAFFI JOFFA]

this looks like a better highlight clips - make u na maange am

Who was that fool who took a pass after good hold up play from Osimhen, instead of shooting, decided to return the pass to Victor to shoot from a worse angle?!

You saw a fool in that 5min clip? That's foolish isn't it?

[metalalloy]

this looks like a better highlight clips - make u na maange am

thanks for this. Clearest video ive seen so far. Man.. that iwobi to Osimhen connection is exciting!

[Tobi17]

this looks like a better highlight clips - make u na maange am

thanks for this. Clearest video ive seen so far. Man.. that iwobi to Osimhen connection is exciting!

Iwobi, Sami, and Osimhen combined beautifully... promising times for Nigeria

[bushboy]

this looks like a better highlight clips - make u na maange am

Who was that fool who took a pass after good hold up play from Osimhen, instead of shooting, decided to return the pass to Victor to shoot from a worse angle?!

You saw a fool in that 5min clip? That's foolish isn't it?

Yes, I did. But on second watch, Osimhen's shot was very poor. A quality strker would bend that into the far corner. The angle was not as bad as I initially thought. But the pass back was not needed. I stand by that.

[Damunk]

this looks like a better highlight clips - make u na maange am

Who was that fool who took a pass after good hold up play from Osimhen, instead of shooting, decided to return the pass to Victor to shoot from a worse angle?!

You saw a fool in that 5min clip? That's foolish isn't it?

Yes, I did. But on second watch, Osimhen's shot was very poor. A quality strker would bend that into the far corner. The angle was not as bad as I initially thought. But the pass back was not needed. I stand by that.

I agree. He shoulda taken the shot himself.
It was a bad decision but nothing more than that.
It was no more foolish a decision than your decision to call him "a fool".
We all get a rush to the head from time to know.
You've both had one within hours of each other.

[ANC]

this looks like a better highlight clips - make u na maange am

Who was that fool who took a pass after good hold up play from Osimhen, instead of shooting, decided to return the pass to Victor to shoot from a worse angle?!

You saw a fool in that 5min clip? That's foolish isn't it?

Yes, I did. But on second watch, Osimhen's shot was very poor. A quality strker would bend that into the far corner. The angle was not as bad as I initially thought. But the pass back was not needed. I stand by that.

I agree. He shoulda taken the shot himself.
It was a bad decision but nothing more than that.
It was no more foolish a decision than your decision to call him "a fool".
We all get a rush to the head from time to know.
You've both had one within hours of each other.

He does what he does best, again.

[maceo4]

We can finally see things clearly, kai Colin’s and poor defending

[/video]

[Damunk]

We can finally see things clearly, kai Colin’s and poor defending

[/video]

At last! Something to actually see.
Thanks maceo4.

Observations:
Collins was beaten silly for that Benin goal. Like he was still in the dressing room.
The team recovered from the goal well, didn't seem to panic.
Team chemistry seems very good.
Created many chances all thru the match, but they need to be more ruthless in front of goal.
Most players seem very comfortable on the ball.
Composure needed esp in final third: Osimhen, Aribo and Chukwueze all guilty of rushed decisions.
Kalu is a gem that will continue to win us free kicks wth his 'dont-touch-me' trickery in the box.

I think we can safely say we are at the dawn of a new era as the team gets even stronger with positive reinforcements - replacements have to be better than whoever they are replacing.

I am assuming this video is a fair reflection of how the game went overall.

[Cito]

Wow the scoreline would have spelt B.E.N.I.N if our boys were a bit more accurate with the amount of chances we got.

[amafolas]

why does a fan camera have better quality than a tv-station camera