NIGERIA’S Home Based Super Eagles on Sunday lost by a lone goal to the host, The Squirrels of Benin Republic in a 2018 Championship of African Nations, (CHAN) qualifier played at the Stade de l’Amitie, Cotonou.
Nigeria’s Afees Aremu gifted Benin the precious goal when he chose to take the ball into his side’s 18-yard box and in the process, Benin’s Marcelin Koupo mounted pressure on Aremu, who had to bring down his opponent .
The centre referee, Ghorbal Mustapha from Algeria awarded a penalty kick to Benin which was converted by captain Seibou Mama in the 88th minute of the game.
Watching the game was the President, Nigeria Football Federation, (NFF), who observed that poor officiating marred the game.
‘It was not well handled by the match officials but I am optimistic we can cancel the deficit in the return leg’’ said Pinnick after the match.
The return leg comes up at the Sani Abacha Stadium, Kano on August 19.
Winner of this fixture on aggregate will qualify for the 2018 African Nations Championship billed for Kenya.
