The Super Eagles of Nigeria are through to next year Africa Cup of Nations after group rivals Lesotho played out a 0-0 draw against Sierra Leone in the other group game.

The result has rendered Super Eagles clash against Benin Republic inconsequential as both teams now have an unassailable lead as the two top teams in the group.

Sierra Leone who are third can only finish with six points, one less than the present tally of Benin Republic with bottom of the table Lesotho on two points with the chance of finishing with a maximum point of five. Nigeria sit top of the group with eight points.

Alex Iwobi won’t be a part of the Nigerian team for 5pm game against Squirrels of Benin Republic after failing a routine coronavirus test ahead of the AFCON 2022 qualifiers game.

Iwobi for now is the only player who failed the test in the camp of the Super Eagles while for Benin Republic two players were reported to have failed the test.

He was expected to start today’s game as part of a midfield three but his spot will likely be taken by Oghenekaro Etebo who will now play with the duo of Joe Aribo and Wilfred Ndidi.

His absence will no doubt be a huge loss for the Nigerian team who are looking for a draw to book their spot at next year Africa Cup of Nations.

Two players of the Benin Republic national team won’t be in action today against Nigeria after  testing positive to COVID-19 virus as the team prepare to host the Super Eagles of Nigeria by 5pm Nigerian time this evening.

Coach of the team  Michel Dussuyer who broke the news said it started with one player testing positive for the virus and he possibly infected another. Another player who had close contact with the duo has also undergo test for the virus.

According to the coach, “samples have been taken.” Consequently and owing to health restrictions due to the coronavirus pandemic, the two players are already isolated as recommended by health authorities.
It is possible another player may have been infected.

“We are waiting for the result of a third test to perhaps give the name of the player”, local news outlet, La Nouvelle Tribune quoted Michel Dussuyer as saying.

Enyimba FC of Aba winger Anayo Iwuala has won the hearts of some players of the senior national team of Nigeria with his performance in training ahead of the Super Eagles AFCON 2002 qualifiers game against Benin Republic.

22 year old Anayo who is in the squad for the first time was called up as a late replacement for Almeria forward Sadiq Umar who wasn’t released by his team.

Anayo has taken the chance with both hands and he now stand an outside chance of making his debut after impressing not just the technical crew led by coach Gernot Rohr but even his teammates.

“ For a lad who is with us for the first time he has done well. Very well to be honest. Ahmed Musa , Alex Iwobi and William Troost Ekong have all spoken about him extensively. He has done his chances of getting some minutes a whole lot of good”, a member of the backroom staff told Owngoalnigeria.com.

“ Rohr likes him a lot and believe he will be a good addition to the team in the future. Maybe he will hand him his debut today. It’s his decision to make and Anayo has played himself into that position”.

Leicester City and Super Eagles of Nigeria forward Kelechi Iheanacho is fired up for today’s AFCON 2022 qualifiers game against Squirrels of Benin Republic.

The forward who has been in red hot form for the Foxes with seven goals in his last four games head into this game as one is the players nominated for the English Premier League player of the month.

He is also in the running for the goal of the month away for one of his goals against Sheffield United where he scored a hattrick but that is not what is on his mind at the moment.

Back in the Super Eagles team after missing out on the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations squad, he is in line to pair Victor Osimhen in attack and he is already fired up for the clash.

Upon their arrival at the hotel in Cotonou, Iheanacho was praised by a section of the Super Eagles fans at the hotel who were chanting his new moniker “Seniorman” and he responded with pidgin english saying they go know why tomorrow ( Benin Republic will know me better tomorrow).

Nigeria face the daunting task of ending Benin Republic’s eight years unbeaten record in the game where they need a point to be at next year Africa Cup of Nations.

The 2022 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers game between host Benin Republic and Nigeria will be played later today in Porto Novo with both teams needing a point to advance to the tournament.

Benin Republic sit second behind their today’s rival Nigeria who are group leaders with eight points are aiming to be at the cup of nations for a second consecutive tournament, after missing two in row before the appointment of Gernot Rohr as coach.

Rohr and his boys have been in camp the past three days ahead of this game and arrived the venue of the game yesterday in a rather scarce way as they travelled by sea.

Today’s game will be live on BeINsports 4 from 5pm Nigerian time and it will be streamed worldwide for those who have no access to view the TV station in their country.

Owngoalnigeria.com can also confirm that the game which will be played behind close doors due to the Covid 19 pandemic will also be live on Nigeria Television Authority (NTA), ORTB and Canal+ as they are Among stations who have secured the rights to broadcast the game.

Enyimba FC of Aba winger Anayo Iwuala has won the hearts of some players of the senior national team of Nigeria with his performance in training ahead of the Super Eagles AFCON 2002 qualifiers game against Benin Republic.

22 year old Anayo who is in the squad for the first time was called up as a late replacement for Almeria forward Sadiq Umar who wasn’t released by his team.

Anayo has taken the chance with both hands and he now stand an outside chance of making his debut after impressing not just the technical crew led by coach Gernot Rohr but even his teammates.

“ For a lad who is with us for the first time he has done well. Very well to be honest. Ahmed Musa , Alex Iwobi and William Troost Ekong have all spoken about him extensively. He has done his chances of getting some minutes a whole lot of good”, a member of the backroom staff told Owngoalnigeria.com.

“ Rohr likes him a lot and believe he will be a good addition to the team in the future. Maybe he will hand him his debut today. It’s his decision to make and Anayo has played himself into that position”.

The senior national team of Nigeria were yesterday forced to hold their final training session ahead of today’s game against Benin Republic in darkness.

The team arrived at the venue of the game to have a feel of the pitch and also perfect tactics but were shocked upon their arrival at the stadium as the floodlights went off inside the main bowl.

“ We saw light outside but on getting in it was total darkness as in we couldn’t see a thing. Our officials spoke with the crew at the stadium but nothing was done. So we had to train under the moon”, Chidozie Awaziem told Owngoalnigeria.com.

FC Porto left back Zaidu Sanusi said , their initial thought was that the light will be turned on soon but they were shocked to go through the session in darkness.

“ We had to use the torch lights on our phones to dress up and sort our stuff out. It wasn’t funny at all. We were thinking they will put on the light soon but that didn’t happen till the end of the session. Crazy experience”, he said.

CAF has appointed Moroccan referee Redoune Jiyed as the man to officiate the Super Eagles of Nigeria AFCON 2021 qualifiers clash away to Benin Republic.

The Moroccan will handle the game where a draw will be okay for both team to progress to the 2022 Africa Cup of Nations. Nigeria will however progress if Sierra Leone fails to beat Lesotho later today.

Rated as one of the best referee in the African continent he isn’t a stranger to the Nigerian team as he was the man at the helm when Nigeria defeated South Africa 2-1 in the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations.

He will be assisted by two other Moroccans in Lahsen Azgaou and Mostafa Akarkad for the tie. All three officials have already touched down for the tie per a statement by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).

Just like the referees, the Nigerian team have also arrived for the game and will have one training session before the game which will take place by 5pm Nigerian time tomorrow.