Nigeria settle scores with Benin’s Squirrels

NIGERIA and their neighbours, Benin Republic do not belong to the same rank in football but situation appears dicey today in Kano when the second leg of a Championship of Africa Nations, (CHAN) decisive qualifier holds.

Benin bring to Kano today a 1-0 first leg win so Nigeria have to ensure a clean slate and score two goals to book a slot for the championship proper in Kenya next year.

In the early 70s, Nigeria took a stroll past the Beninoise on match-ups but that has since changed from the Milennium when small margins make the difference mostly, Nigeria’s favour.

Quite a number of Nigerians namely Muri Ogunbiyi and Rasaq Omotoyosi, who found opportunities lacking with Nigeria took up Benin citizenship and played representative football for the Squirrels against Nigeria.

This familiarity turns into contempt in contest and this partly explains why Nigeria Football Federation, (NFF), President Amaju Pinnick alleged poor officiating in the first leg decided seven days ago in Cotonou, where the Squirrels won by a lone goal scored from the penalty spot to end a 58 years’dominance of the Eagles on the international scene.

Already, mind games are afoot for today’s return leg with the Benin contingent rejecting Nigeria’s transport and storming Kano with their  feeds.

In this case, Nigeria must plug all administrative loopholes before going onto the field to make their point.