Nigeria suffer setback while Ayew hits hat – trick
The Super Eagles of Nigeria have had their wings clipped by the Cheetah’s of Benin as they scored Nigeria 2 goals to one in yesterday’s World Cup Qualifying fixture.
Nigeria had drawn their first three games in Group C, which has already provided several surprise results and left minnows Lesotho top after three games.
Rohr, who had been discarded by Nigeria before the delayed 2021 Africa Cup of Nations, was carried on to the pitch by substitutes as Benin celebrated just their second-ever win over their West African neighbours.
Benin climb to the top of Group C on seven points while Nigeria are fifth, increasing the pressure on Finidi George – who was only appointed by the Super Eagles on a permanent deal in April.
In Ghana,In-form Ayew inspires Black Stars of Ghana as he made a good start in Kumasi after Abdul Fatawu was brought down in the box, but two smart finishes on the counter-attack from Mafouta gave Central African Republic a surprise lead.
Three goals in the space of 10 second-half minutes turned the game in Ghana’s favour, with Ayew nodding in Gideon Mensah’s cross to make it 2-2 on the hour mark.
Two minutes later Ghana were back in front when a shot from Leicester forward Fatawu was deflected in, and Ayew pounced to make it 4-2 from close range after Mohammed Kudus had a low effort saved.
That goal – Ayew’s eighth in his past five outings for Ghana – proved pivotal as Mafouta curled in a 25-yard free-kick in the final minute.
Ayew had also netted an injury-time winner for Otto Addo’s men in Mali on Thursday and the Black Stars now sit three points clear of Madagascar and Comoros in Group I.
