Nigeria brush aside Benin in Kano

by Phumzile Ngcatshe

Saturday Aug 19, 2017. 19:00

Nigeria claimed a 2-0 win over Benin in the return leg of the 2018 CAF African Nations Championship qualifier at Sani Abacha Stadium in Kano on Saturday.

The Super Eagles were aware that an early goal could boost their morale as they wanted to avenge the 1-0 loss at Stade l'Amitie last week.

The final score of the two-legged affair now stands at 2-1 in favour of the hosts.

In the first 22 minutes, midfielder Rabiu Ali found the back of the net as he scored to hand the hosts a deserved lead.

The visiting Squirrels had a daunting task in Kano, to score and ensure they are in the driving seat en route to Kenya.

However, the score was 1-0 at half time in favour of the hosts and Gernot Rohr's troops breathed a sigh of relief.

Upon their return from the tunnel, the Nigerians doubled their lead when Kingsley Eduwo's header put the hosts further ahead after a great cross from Osas Okoro.

Benin were handed a penalty and goalkeeper, Ikechukwu Ezenwa was alert to make a brilliant save to deny the Squirrels's Mama Seibou.

In the end, both sides failed to create clear cut opportunities as the Super Eagles reached the tournament.