Nigerians worried as travel-weary Super Eagles arrive Benin
Nigeria’s Super Eagles have arrived in Porto Novo by boat for their Africa Cup of Nations qualifying fixture against Benin on Saturday.
The team which left Lagos in the morning arrived Porto Novo around 3.30pm, now have little time to rest and train for Saturday’s match, according to news monitored on Sports Radio 88.9 FM.
Alhamdulillahi…. The @NGSuperEagles have landed Port Novo safely thru our Lagos Waterways … Prayers Answered. @TalktoLaswa @gbenga_omo @Lagferry https://t.co/7xzbGrWvw3 pic.twitter.com/u6Nn783PoK
— Jubril A. Gawat (@Mr_JAGs) March 26, 2021
After their berth in the West African country, the three-time Afcon champions completed a mandatory coronavirus test and they moved to their Golden Tulip Le Diplomat hotel.
The Super Eagles left Lagos in the morning through the Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA) boat jetty in Ikoyi with more than three boats spotted conveying the team.
Arrival of the Super Eagles Team at the Five Cowries Terminal enroute Benin Republic for the African Cup Of Nations qualifier scheduled to hold tomorrow Saturday 27th of March 2021 🇳🇬🇳🇬🇳🇬#SuperEagles #watertransportation pic.twitter.com/NItmddhcIA
— LASWA (@TalktoLaswa) March 26, 2021
They are expected to have a training session at the Charles de Gaulle Stadium this evening before Saturday’s game.
read also:Super Eagles in high spirit as they depart for Porto Novo by boats
Nigeria have intensified preparations for the crucial match against the Squirrels with training sessions at the Teslim Balogun Stadium where they host Lesotho on Tuesday.
If dem beat una make una just send our jerseys come back home y'all can trek back to Europe.
— Phoenix💙💡🇳🇬 (@_Phoenixville_) March 26, 2021
Gernot Rohr’s side currently sit atop of Group L with eight points after five matches, and victory over second-placed Benin would secure their qualification for the 2022 Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon.
Ghana don already qualify abeg Nigeria should not disappoint
I can't stand collecting bants from my Ghanaian friends— mortal man🔴 (@pacman_preach) March 26, 2021
The last time both teams met was at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in November 2019 for their first qualifying fixture with goals from Victor Osimhen and Samuel Kalu completing a 2-1 comeback win for the Super Eagles.
Ahead of Saturday’s match, Benin coach Michel Dussuyer admitted that it will be a tough contest against Nigeria with his side set to miss Stephane Sessegnon who scored their only goal in Akwa Ibom in 2019.
“On Saturday, our ambition is to win. It will not be an easy task, but we have hopes,” Dussuyer said.
“Stephane Sessegnon is selected as a special guest. He is not on the list of 23. He is called for his leadership and will participate in training sessions.”
Rohr, on his part, is also looking forward to a difficult clash in Porto Novo as he wants a ‘positive end’ to their qualification campaign.
“We want to finish our qualification on a positive note, and the two matches against Benin and Lesotho are very important,” the German managed said.
“Of course, we know that Benin is difficult to beat after our last game in Uyo (Nigeria won 2-1) and we need at least a point against them to qualify for next year’s Afcon.”