Nigeria faced a setback in their World Cup qualifying campaign as they were defeated 2-1 by Benin, while Liverpool star Mohamed Salah salvaged a draw for Egypt against Guinea-Bissau with a crucial goal.
The unexpected victory for Benin, led by coach Gernot Rohr, left Nigeria trailing in Group C, raising questions about the performance of coach Finidi George.
Article: The football world was left in disbelief as Nigeria, a powerhouse in African football, succumbed to a 2-1 defeat against Benin in the World Cup qualifiers.
Despite taking an early lead through Raphael Onyedika’s goal, Nigeria couldn’t maintain their advantage as Benin staged a remarkable comeback with goals from Jodel Dossou and captain Steve Mounie before halftime.
The defeat not only shook the Nigerian camp but also propelled Benin to the top of Group C, showcasing their resilience and determination.
For Benin coach Gernot Rohr, the victory held a special significance, as he was previously sacked by Nigeria in 2021 after five years in charge.
The 70-year-old German tactician masterminded a remarkable triumph for Benin, who are ranked 67 places below Nigeria in the FIFA rankings.
The win not only boosted Benin’s position in the group but also raised doubts about Nigeria’s campaign under the leadership of coach Finidi George.
George, who took over as Nigeria’s coach after the departure of Portuguese boss Jose Pereira, has faced criticism following the team’s inconsistent performances.
Despite possessing a talented squad, Nigeria has struggled to assert their dominance in the qualifiers, managing just three points from their opening matches.
The defeat against Benin has further intensified the scrutiny on George, with questions being raised about his tactics and team selection.
Meanwhile, in another thrilling encounter, Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah once again proved his worth as he rescued Egypt with a crucial equalizer against Guinea-Bissau.
After falling behind to Mama Balde’s goal just before halftime, Egypt found themselves in a precarious position.
However, Salah stepped up when it mattered the most, scoring a sublime goal to ensure Egypt earned a valuable point in the top-of-table clash.
Salah’s goal not only highlighted his individual brilliance but also showcased Egypt’s resilience under pressure.
Despite facing a determined Guinea-Bissau side, Egypt managed to maintain their unbeaten run in the qualifiers, retaining a four-point advantage at the top of Group A.
The draw was a testament to Egypt’s ambition of securing a spot in the upcoming World Cup and Salah’s pivotal role in their quest for qualification.
In other matches, Ghana produced a thrilling comeback to defeat the Central African Republic 4-3, with Crystal Palace forward Jordan Ayew claiming a hat-trick.
Algeria also secured a crucial victory against Uganda, bouncing back from a disappointing loss in their previous fixture.
With the qualifiers heating up, teams are leaving no stone unturned in their pursuit of World Cup glory, setting the stage for more enthralling encounters in the days to come.
As the race for World Cup qualification intensifies, Nigeria and Egypt find themselves at contrasting ends of the spectrum.
While Nigeria grapples with unexpected setbacks and mounting pressure, Egypt continues to march forward with confidence, buoyed by the brilliance of Mohamed Salah.
With plenty of twists and turns expected in the remaining fixtures, football fans can brace themselves for more drama and excitement on the road to Qatar 2026.
This article was created using automation technology and was thoroughly edited and fact-checked by one of our editorial staff members
