On June 11, the fourth round of the group stage of the World Cup African qualifiers between Benin and Nigeria was as combustible as a battle, and the images hit home.
The drums of war were beating and Nigeria came down like a tiger. In the 28th minute, Chukwueze's clever cross was met by Onyedika's shot, making the score 1-0 in a flash and giving Nigeria the lead. But Benin didn't back down and after a tactical adjustment, they were like a hungry wolf trying to bite back into the game.
The turnaround came in the 37th minute when Jordel Dossou made a steal and pushed a shot to make the score 1-1 and Benin's morale was high as the game heated up.
Benin made a comeback in stoppage time of the first half and victory dawned in the 45th+3rd minute when a corner kick from Oletan was saved by Moune to make the score 2-1 and Benin went back in front.
In the second half, the two sides fought like beasts as Nigeria tried to roll over, but Benin defended like an iron wall and managed to withstand Nigeria's furious attack with teamwork and hustle.
In the 85th minute, Olawo's cross from the right was cleared by a defender's header and in the 86th minute, Onuachu's header went over the crossbar. The Nigerian team tried hard but the goal came to nothing.
The final whistle blew to give Benin a 2-1 comeback win, with goals from Moune and Jordel Dosu key, as Nigeria took the lead but could not withstand Benin's counter-attacks and left the field in dismay.
