In an appeal ahead of the match, Super Eagles captain Ahmed Musa urged his teammates to defeat Benin Republic as a birthday gift to him. The two teams were scheduled to play in a 2026 World Cup qualifier match on June 10, 2024.
Musa, who turned 32 on the day of the match, was hoping for a victory that would improve Nigeria’s standing in the qualifiers. The Super Eagles were in a difficult position, having drawn their previous three matches.
The team, however, was unable to deliver the desired gift. Nigeria lost to Benin Republic 2-1 in the match held at the Felix Houphouet-Boigny Stadium in Abidjan, Ivory Coast. The loss was a significant setback for the team’s World Cup qualification hopes. The match’s result also meant the Super Eagles remained winless after four games in the qualifiers.
