Benin fall to Super Eagles 1-0

January 16th, 2010 | by: shane | Comments(1)

African Cup of Nations 2004: Nigeria 2-1 Benin
African Cup of Nations 2008: Nigeria 2-0 Benin
African Cup of Nations 2010: Nigeria 1-0

I think it is safe to say Benin will not want to face Nigeria in the 2012 African Cup of Nations. They have faced the Super Eagles all in every Nations Cup they have appeared and have lost all three times scoring just one goal. While they don’t get destroyed they are also unable to win.

Today’s match was especially frustrating as Benin had a number of good chances with Stéphane Sessegnon once being denied by the crossbar and narrowly missing another time on a free kick. Nigeria would take the lead from the penalty spot as Yakubu slotted his penalty down the middle for the goal after Roumald Boco was penalized for a handball in the box. Boco really cannot be blamed for the handball as in my opinion it was the ball that played the hand and not the other way around. Boco could not react in time to a Osaze Odemwingie header just yards away from him that crashed into his arm which was raised in the air though. By no means do I think he was trying to knock the ball down with his arm. In any case the penalty was given and the Yak put in past Rachad Chitou in replaced the dropped Yoaan Djidonou after his exploits against Mozambique.

In the second half Sessegnon set up Nouihoum Kobena with a great chance only for Kobena to be denied by the post as well. Chitou later did well to deny Victor Obinna after Chinedu Ogbuke Obasi played him in with a great ball. Chitou would later have to be replaced due to injury for Djidonou. Nigeria looked to be tiring in the waning minutes but Benin could only resort to hapless long balls that led to nothing.

The loss leaves Benin’s chances of qualification for the quarterfinals in shambles. They must now defeat two time reigning champions Egypt who seem to be unbeatable in this tournament. And even if Benin defeat Egypt then they will need Mozambique to get a positive result against the Nigerians to have any chance of advancing. A Nigeria win eliminates Benin regardless of their result against Egypt.

Things look bleek for the Squirrels who once again do not look capable of challenging the big guns of African football at the Nations Cup. Hopefully they can be the team to finally defeat Egypt in the Nations Cup.