Players, coaches, official and journalist in Nigeria’s delegation for Saturday’s 2022 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Benin Republic have received coronavirus tests ahead of the fixture in Porto Novo, megasportsaena.com reports.
While details of the outcome were still being expected in the early hours of Saturday, officials were upbeat that no positive test would be recorded in the squad, as they all passed a similar process before leaving Lagos on Friday.
The communications department of Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) confirmed that the Eagles’ delegation arrived in Porto Novo ahead of the eagerly anticipated qualifier against their closest Group L rivals and are exuding confidence of leaving with victory.
The delegation travelled by speedboat to Cotonou and had their COVID-19 tests at the point of entry, as stipulated by Confederation of African Football 9CAF), which made such medial checks mandatory before any international game.
Upon their arrival in Porto Novo, the Nigerian delegation traveled to Cotonou and are lodging at Golden Tulip Le Diplomat Hotel, following which they had a feel of the match venue at Stade Charles de Gaulle before returning to their abode.
The Eagles’ delegation left Five Cowries Terminal aboard boats provided by Lagos State Waterways Authority in Ikoyi with more than three vessels conveying the team.
Gernot Rohr’s side currently sit atop of Group L with eight points after four matches, and victory over second-placed Benin would secure their qualification for the 2022 Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon.
The last time the two teams met was at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in November 2019 for their first qualifying fixture, with goals from Victor Osimhen and Samuel Kalu completing a 2-1 comeback win for the Super Eagles.
Ahead of Saturday’s match, Benin coach Michel Dussuyer admitted that it will be a tough contest against Nigeria, since his side are set to miss Stephane Sessegnon, who scored their only goal in Akwa Ibom in 2019.
“On Saturday, our ambition is to win. It will not be an easy task, but we have hopes,” Dussuyer said.
“Stephane Sessegnon is selected as a special guest. He is not on the list of 23. He is called for his leadership and will participate in training sessions.”
Rohr countered that, though he was expecting a difficult clash in Porto Novo, he expects to get a happy end on Saturday, adding: “We want to finish our qualification on a positive note, and the two matches against Benin and Lesotho are very important.
“Of course, we know that Benin is difficult to beat after our last game in Uyo [which Nigeria won 2-1] and we need at least a point against them to qualify for next year’s AFCON.”
