Eagles Take On Defensive Squirrels Of Benin Republic

Nigeria will begin its quest for yet another go at the African Cup of Nations title when it meets Benin Republic in the first game of the qualifying series in Uyo Wednesday.

Nigeria won the bronze medal at the last Nations Cup in Egypt, but the players believe they had the quality to win the title taken by Algeria.

Cameroon hosts the next edition of the competition in 2021 and to get another chance to contest for the crown, the Eagles must beat the Squirrels of Benin and Lesotho’s national team in the elimination series.

Manager, Gernot Rohr, and his men have been in Uyo since Sunday working on ways to ensure a good result against the defensive Beninoise, who have not hidden their intention of getting at least a draw out of Uyo.

One of the players Nigerian football fans want to see against Benin Republic is Glasgow Rangers’ midfielder, Joe Aribo, who has been a big hit in his two games for Nigeria so far.

The goal-scoring midfielder, however, may not play today according to reports from the team’s camp.

According to camp sources, Rohr may not risk the 23-year-old star because he arrived late and had only one training session with the rest of the squad. But some other sources say that may not be a problem because the former Charlton Athletic playmaker has been part of the team for a long time and knows how the Eagles play.

While there are doubts about Aribo’s fitness, Team Captain, Ahmed Musa will play his first game for the country since the last African Nations Cup third-place match in Egypt.

Musa says he is delighted to be back in the team after missing the side’s last two games against Ukraine and Brazil as a result of injury.

“I feel good to be back in the team, starting the game is not my priority. The guys did well against Ukraine and Brazil,” Musa said yesterday.

Meanwhile, Coach Gernot Rohr assured Nigerians the Eagles will not treat the Squirrels with kid gloves.