Nigeria advanced into the final match of the ongoing West African Football Union (WAFU) Cup of Nations on Thursday after a 1-0 victory over the Squirrels of Republic of Benin.
Midfielder Rabiu Ali drilled a shot into their opponents’ net with only 11 minutes on the clock to put his team on the victory path.
The Republic of Benin side’s fightback was however put in check in the 33rd minute by the sending-off of Marcellin Koukpo for a second bookable offence.
But there were to be no further goals in the first semi-final match of the sub-regional football fiesta played in Cape Coast in Ghana.
Victory confirmed the Eagles’ superiority over their Beninoise counterparts, whom they overpowered over two legs to earn a ticket to the 2018 African Nations Championship only a few weeks ago.
After a 0-1 defeat in Cotonou, courtesy of a late penalty kick, goals by Rabiu Ali and Kingsley Eduwo saw the Eagles nick the ticket to Kenya.
The Super Eagles will now take on winners of the second semi-final match between hosts Ghana and Niger Republic in Sunday’s final match at the Cape Coast Stadium.(NAN)
