Nigeria’s boat cruise to Porto Novo was nothing near the difficulty they faced against the Squirrels on the pitch on Saturday as a late Paul Onuachu header sunk a dagger through hearts in Benin Republic.
The Nigerians left it late to break an 8-year jinx against Benin and left their neighbours with a mountain to climb against Sierra Leone.
Benin must play at least a draw to seal their AFCON qualification or lose by a respectable and safe margin.
The Beninoise were left distraught in the game as the referee signalled the end of the game, an indication of the realisation of the enormity of the task at hand.
It’s not only Benin facing a mountain to climb, there are a quite a number of those across the continent with eyes on the clash between Sudan and South Africa most especially.
As it stands, there are other decisive fixtures between; Malawi and Uganda, Madagascar and Niger, as Ethiopia also hopes to earn a qualifying berth against Ivory Coast who have made it through.
The Amavubi of Rwanda will seek to shock hosts Cameroon at home in their final qualifying game. Portuguese-colonies Mozambique and Cape Verde will face in Maputo while Congo hope make it in their final game against Guinea Bissau.
Mauritania also seek make it to Cameroon in 2022 but must overcome the Central African Republic away from home.