Nigeria look to improve their World Cup qualifying standing as they take on 97th-ranked Benin on Monday in the Ivory Coast capital of Abidjan.
After a 1-1 draw with South Africa on Friday, the Super Eagles sit fifth in their six-team group with just three points through three matches. They must start securing victories to move up the table, and while the current standing is concerning, they could theoretically end the matchday atop the table with a win today and some outside help.
Benin topped Rwanda last time out, moving them to four points, where they are level with two other sides in the crowded Group C.
After eight matches, the winner of the group will qualify directly for the expanded 2026 World Cup, while the second-place finisher could potentially advance to the playoff round if they end up amongst the top four of the nine runners-up.
The Sporting News is following the Nigeria vs. Benin match live, providing score updates, commentary and highlights as they happen.
Nigeria vs. Benin live score
| Score | Goal scorers | |
| Benin | – | – |
| Nigeria | – | – |
Kickoff: 4 p.m. local (12 p.m. ET / 9 a.m. PT)
Location: Felix Houphouet Boigny Stadium (Abidjan, Ivory Coast)
Referee: Pierre Ghislain Atcho (GAB)
Starting lineups (predicted):
Benin (4-3-3, right to left): Dandjinou (GK) — Moumini, Hountondji, Tijani, Kiki — Dokou, D’Almeida, Imourane — Dossou, Mounie, Olaitan.
Nigeria (4-4-2, right to left): Nwabili (GK) — Tanimu, Ajayi, Bassey, Osayi-Samuel — Iheanacho, Iwobi, Ndidi, Dele-Bashiru — Lookman, Boniface.
Nigeria vs. Benin live updates, highlights, commentary
2 hours to kickoff: Nigeria are sorely missing the leadership of AFCON hero William Troost-Ekong, who was not called into the Super Eagles squad this international window due to a lack of match fitness. He missed the final few months of the club season with an injury suffered in the AFCON final.
Troost-Ekong also recently spoke out against the Nigeria coaching staff, saying he “almost retired” from national team duty because “I didn’t like how the coach handled some situations.” He didn’t name the coach he was upset with, whether it be new head man Finidi George or someone from before, but it was clear he was speaking of recent thoughts and not in the distant past.
‘I was almost retiring from playing with the Super Eagle because I didn’t like how the coach handled some situations’ – Troost Ekong
Catch full episode tomorrow on YouTube and all podcast streaming platforms. 🔥 pic.twitter.com/SlVOZSsYNg
— Zero Conditions Podcast (@ZeroConditions_) June 9, 2024
Nigeria vs. Benin lineups, team news
Benin could stick with an unchanged starting line up from their 1-0 win over Rwanda last time out, with Stade Brest striker Steve Mounie the most notable name in the XI.
Benin projected starting lineup (4-3-3): Dandjinou (GK) — Moumini, Hountondji, Tijani, Kiki — Dokou, D’Almeida, Imourane — Dossou, Mounie, Olaitan.
Benin subs (9): (Lineups released one hour prior to kickoff)
Nigeria are without injured talisman Victor Osimhen who will miss a month and likely not be available until the start of the next club season. They are also missing Bayer Leverkusen forward Nathan Tella due to personal reasons, further depleting their attacking ranks.
In that thin attack, Nigeria could see Victor Boniface or Samuel Chukwueze rotated into the side after the 1-1 draw with South Africa, with Paul Onuachu misfiring in that result. Midfielder Frank Onyeka could also be a candidate to come in after his positive performances in the most recent AFCON.
Team leaders Ahmed Musa and William Troost-Ekong were notably absent from the squad due to a lack of match fitness, as the former is without a club since being released from Sivasspor in February and the latter missing the final third of the club season at PAOK due to an injury.
Nigeria projected starting lineup (4-4-2): Nwabili (GK) — Tanimu, Ajayi, Bassey, Osayi-Samuel — Iheanacho, Iwobi, Ndidi, Dele-Bashiru — Lookman, Boniface.
Nigeria subs (9): (Lineups released one hour prior to kickoff)
How to watch Nigeria vs. Benin
- Date: Mon, Jun. 10, 2024
- Time: 4 p.m. local (12:00 a.m. ET / 9 a.m. PT)
- TV Channel: — None —
- Streaming: FIFA+
Aside from a few select territories, this match will be available globally on FIFA+, which is a free streaming service for those who sign up.
The exceptions include India, where the match will be streamed on FanCode. Others include Serbia, Croatia, and the two participants, Nigeria and Benin. In Nigeria, the match is available to watch on NTA Sports 24.
