Some fans of the Benin National team have boasted of their team’s chances ahead of the matchday four fixture of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Nigeria at the Stade Felix Houphouet-Boigny in Ivory Coast on Monday (today), PUNCH Sports Extra reports.
Our correspondent spoke to some fans based in Benin’s largest city, Cotonou, who expressed confidence in their team despite being handed the tags of underdogs ahead of the fixture.
Romaric Gomez told PUNCH Sports Extra that despite Nigeria’s strength on paper, he believes the Cheetahs will triumph.
“Nigeria has strong players, and they have a reputation but they don’t play football with name and I think Benin will surprise them on the pitch. If you underestimate us, we will win.
“Nigeria have not won a game yet and we have so right now, we are doing better and I believe we’ll win again on Monday,” Gomez said.
A Cotonou motorcyclist, who gave only his first name, Fouhaad, also boasted of Benin’s changes against the three-time African champions saying, “Benin will win, mark my words.”
When pressed to mention five players in the Benin squad, Fouhaad could not, only listing three and while he mentioned some Nigerian stars, like Gomez, he said, “It’s not star player that will win the game, it’s tactics. Yes, Nigerian players are popular but we can still win.”
A Nigerian working in Benin as a translator, Alade Obafemi, who was our correspondent’s translator did not give the Beninese any chances.
“Benin can’t beat Nigeria, all these they’re saying is because they’re from the country. You see that they can’t mention their players. If they have good players, they’ll know five at least.
“Nigeria will win the game easily. I’m only worried because we are travelling too close between the games so we may not beat them too much but we’ll win,” he said.
Hotel Mel Jomar manager, Juanita, who only gave her first name said that she thinks Benin will win but she wants winger Ademola Lookman to score, due to the fact that they are both Muslims.
“I want Benin to win and I’ll pray that we win even if Nigeria is a strong team. I like Ademola Lookman and I want him to score and celebrate but I think Benin can beat Nigeria,” Juanita said.
