Benin's #12 David Kiki fights for the ball with Nigeria's #4 Wilfred Ndidi during the FIFA 2026 World Cup qualifiers group C football match. (Photo by ISSOUF SANOGO/AFP via Getty Images)
Super Eagles coach Finidi George attributed the team’s 2-1 loss to Benin Republic to a loss of concentration following an early lead.
Speaking at the post-match press conference, Finidi acknowledged the team’s strong start but lamented the defensive lapses that led to Benin’s comeback.
“I think we had a fantastic beginning of the game, where we controlled, passed the ball, and attacked in a good way to get that goal,” Finidi said.
“After that, I think a loss of concentration allowed them to equalize, and then the momentum shifted in their favor. We conceded a second goal from a corner kick that should have been defended better.”
Speaking on the importance of maintaining belief and the possibility of turning things around in the remaining fixtures, Finidi said, “From that moment, we had to work extra hard to come back into the game. They defended very well and deep, and although we tried, we couldn’t get the equalizer,” he noted.
Finidi concluded, “This is football; we can turn things around. It’s difficult, but we have to win games. Once we start winning, I believe everything is possible in football.
“We just have three points, but we’ve seen that anything can happen in the last game.”
