Nigeria vs. Benin live score: World Cup qualifying result, updates, stats from Super Eagles' must-win showdown

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• Nigeria vs. Benin live score
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Nigeria have one more roll of the dice as they try to escape from World Cup qualification with a place at the finals.

A tense victory over Lesotho last week kept the Super Eagles in touch with group leaders Benin, who they host in Uyo, knowing only a victory will do.

To overhaul Benin in the standings, Nigeria must win either 1-0 or by a margin of two goals. However, if South Africa beat Rwanda in Mbombela, that will only be good enough for second place.

That would put Nigeria in the rankings of runner-up teams from the nine groups, with the four best of those progressing to an inter-confederation playoff.

If DR Congo beat Sudan as expected, then Eric Chelle's side will need to beat Benin by a four-goal margin to leapfrog Burkina Faso as the fourth-best runner-up.

The key detail is that Nigeria must win to stand any chance, something they have only managed in three out of nine qualifiers to date.

Nigeria vs. Benin live score

Venue: Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo
Referee: Amin Mohamed Omar (Egypt)

Predicted lineups:

Nigeria (4-2-2-2, right to left): Nwabali (GK) — Fredrick, Troost-Ekong, Bassey, Onyemaechi — Ndidi, Iwobi —  Chukwueze, Simon — Osimhen, Arokodare

Benin (4-2-3-1, right to left): Dandjinou (GK) — Ouorou, Verdon, Tijani, Roche — D'Almeida, Imourane — Dossou, Dokou, Hountondji — Mounie

MORE: Can Nigeria still qualify for World Cup 2026? Super Eagles match schedule and what they need to reach FIFA finals

Nigeria vs. Benin live updates, highlights, and commentary

3 hours before kickoff: Hello and welcome to The Sporting News' live coverage of Nigeria vs. Benin in World Cup qualification. They've needed a favour from the Court of Arbitration for Sport and need another from Rwanda, along with taking care of their own business today. But the Super Eagles head into their final World Cup qualifier with a chance of reaching next year's finals.

Nigeria vs. Benin kick off time

The World Cup qualifying match kicks off in Uyo at 5 p.m. local time.

Here's how that time translates across some of the major territories:

Nigeria vs. Benin lineups, team news

Nigeria are without Ola Aina due to the injury the right-back suffered against South Africa last month.

Key attacker Ademola Lookman is suspended following the yellow card he collected against Lesotho.

Victor Osimhen will be hoping to add to his three goals in qualifying, while Fulham's Alex Iwobi is likely to anchor the midfield alongside Wilfred Ndidi.

Nigeria (4-2-2-2, right to left): Nwabali (GK) — Fredrick, Troost-Ekong, Bassey, Onyemaechi — Ndidi, Iwobi —  Chukwueze, Simon — Osimhen, Arokodare

Nigeria subs: Matchday squads released one hour before kickoff

For all the focus on Nigeria, Benin are in the box seat to make history and reach their first World Cup.

Former Huddersfield Town striker Steve Mounie will be supported in attack by experienced attacking midfielder Jodel Dossou.

Benin (4-2-3-1, right to left): Dandjinou (GK) — Ouorou, Verdon, Tijani, Roche — D'Almeida, Imourane — Dossou, Dokou, Hountondji — Mounie

Benin subs: Matchday squads released one hour before kickoff

Nigeria vs. Benin live stream, TV channel

Here is how to watch the match in some of the world's major regions: