Benin orchestrated a remarkable comeback to defeat Nigeria 2-1, while Mohamed Salah’s goal for Egypt secured a 1-1 draw against Guinea-Bissau in a series of World Cup qualifying matches.
Ghana also mounted a comeback, overcoming the Central African Republic in a 4-3 victory, highlighted by Jordan Ayew’s hat-trick.
Benin’s win was particularly significant for coach Gernot Rohr, who previously led Nigeria. The victory propelled Benin to the top of Group C, surpassing Lesotho. Nigeria, expected to lead their group, now finds themselves in fifth place, with only Zimbabwe ranking lower.
The match’s turning point came when Benin responded to Nigeria’s early lead with two goals from Jodel Dossou and Steve Mounie, securing a lead they maintained until the final whistle.
In other matches, Egypt’s Salah continued his scoring streak, equalizing against Guinea-Bissau, keeping Egypt ahead in Group A. Ghana’s win against the Central African Republic was a thrilling affair, with both Ayew and Louis Mafouta achieving hat-tricks.
Algeria, under coach Vladimir Petkovic, bounced back from a previous loss with a 2-1 victory over Uganda, leading Group G. The win was a result of strategic changes to the lineup and crucial goals from Houssem Aouar and Said Benrahma.
These matches set the stage for upcoming contests, with teams vying for positions and points in the race towards World Cup qualification.
Reported By AFP.
