The Super Eagles' 2-1 win over Ghana will be a huge morale-booster for the team as they gear up for June’s World Cup qualifiers.
The Super Eagles quashed an 18-year-old hoodoo by finally defeating the Black Stars, a win that will surely boost their confidence moving forward.
Even though the game against Mali is yet to come, the Eagles have sustained the momentum from the Africa Cup of Nations.
They did it with a departure from the stoic formation and display they put out at the AFCON, as fans hailed the display as expected of a Nigerian team.
Cyriel Dessers (from the spot) and Ademola Lookman – with his fourth goal in five games for Nigeria, gave the Eagles a confidence-boosting win.
The Super Eagles did credibly well in the first game post-AFCON as they prepare for the resumption of the World Cup qualifiers in June.
As they prepare for the Mali game, they will cast their eyes on the Group C opponents and how they have fared in this international window.
Super Eagles' opponents: Group leaders Rwanda hit a wall.
Surprise group leaders Rwanda, who top the group with four points after two matchdays, could only muster a 0-0 draw against Botswana on Friday. Botswana dominated for long stretches, and Rwanda will be glad they came away with a draw.
Zimbabwe, who are fifth in the six-team group, drew 2-2 with Zambia and had to come from two goals down to tie the game. The game, at a 4-nation tournament, saw Zambia race to a 2-0 lead before Zimbabwe clawed their way back into the game.
Miles Bonne got the first goal, and then Walter Musona equalised before the Warriors won the eliminator 6-5 on penalties.
Lesotho played two games over three days against Ethiopia, winning one and losing one. They won the first game 2-1 on Thursday but then lost the second by the same scoreline on Sunday.
In the second game on Sunday, Lesotho, who picked up a point against the Super Eagles in Uyo, were beaten by Ethiopia.
They went ahead in the 32nd minute through Lehlohonolo Fothoane, but the Ethiopians hit them twice to earn a 2-1 win.
Benin, who are bottom of the group, earned an impressive draw against African Champions Ivory Coast in a highly entertaining game.
Junior Olaitan, who has Nigerian heritage, scored in the eighth minute to put Benin ahead. However, Max Gradel, who retired from international football after the game, restored parity for Ivory Coast in the 29th minute.
Olaitan then got his brace in the 51st minute before Omar Diakhite equalized for the Ivorians as the game ended 2-2.
South Africa participated in the first-ever FIFA Series with a less than impressive 1-1 draw against Andorra at the Stade du 19 Mai 1956 in Annaba, Algeria.
Ricard Fernandez put the Europeans ahead as early as the fifth minute, but South Africa found their equalizer through Elias Mokawana in the 25th minute, and that was how the game ended.
As the international window reaches its final stretch, Nigeria will face Mali, Rwanda will be hosted by Madagascar, Zimbabwe are up against Kenya, Benin will be away to Senegal, and Algeria take on South Africa.
Despite varying results, the return of the qualifiers in June will be the real test for all the teams in the group as they go in search of a spot at the World Cup in 2026.
Rwanda tops Group C with four points, with South Africa in second place, one point behind them. Nigeria, Lesotho, and Zimbabwe follow suit with two points each while Benin find themselves at the bottom of the log with one point.
Next games in June
First window
Nigeria vs South Africa
Benin vs Rwanda
Zimbabwe v Lesotho
Second window
Benin vs Nigeria
South Africa vs Zimbabwe
Lesotho v Rwanda
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