Benin vs Nigeria live coverage: preamble
Good afternoon! Group L leaders Nigeria take on second-placed Benin knowing that they are now assured of a berth at next January’s rescheduled Africa Cup of Nations, after Lesotho and Sierra Leone drew in the section’s other matchday-five qualifier this afternoon.
The goalless stalemate in Maseru means neither Lesotho nor Sierra Leone can catch the three-time African champions – who will guarantee top spot in the group if they now beat Benin. To do so, however, they will need to bring an end to the their hosts’ nearly eight-year-long unbeaten home.
Meanwhile, the draw between Lesotho and Sierra Leone leaves Benin needing a point to secure their place at the Africa Cup of Nations for only the fifth time in their history.
Both Benin and Nigeria’s squad selections have been affected by foreign-based players being unable to travel due to the coronavirus pandemic, while the two sides’ captains are both limited to non-playing roles during this international week.
Benin skipper Stéphane Sessegnon is unfit to play as he has been without a club since leaving Turkish side Genclerbirligi in the summer, while his Nigerian counterpart, Ahmed Musa, is in the same boat: he has been inactive since October, when he parted company with Saudis Al Nassr.
(Image: SofaScore)
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