The Squirrels of Benin Republic are confident of defeating the Super Eagles of Nigeria in tomorrow’s African Cup of Nations qualifier match.
Gernot Rohr’s team arrived the tiny West African nation with much buzz, glitz and glitter on Friday afternoon, but Squirrels’ coach, says his team will crash the party for Nigeria.

According to The NFF, Michel Dussuyer said that his boys are ready to calmly collect the three points from better –fancied Nigeria.

Dussuyer, 61, a former French professional footballer and well –travelled coach, is confident his Squirrels can sneak past the Eagles to top of the pool ahead of the last round of matches in a few days.

He is banking on the power-play upfront of the hulking Michael Pote, the defensive competence of David Kiki, Yohan Roche, Khaled Adenon and Cedric Hountondji, the midfield savvy of Anaane Tidjane, Jordan Adeoti and Rodrigue Kossi and the guile of Steve Mounie, Jacques Bessan and Jerome Bonou. Goalkeepers Saturnin Allagbe and Fabien Farnolle will contend for the number one spot. Allagbe was impressive at the AFCON in Egypt.

Three-time champions Nigeria could make sure of a 19th appearance at African football’s flagship tournament if Sierra Leone and Lesotho are locked in a stalemate in their early game in Maseru on Saturday.

But the Eagles are insisting on focusing on their own game and result rather than wait for help from one bumpy pitch in southern Africa.
The Squirrels, who sensationally reached the quarter finals of the last edition of the AFCON in Egypt two years ago before losing to Tunisia (losers to Nigeria in the third-place match), had their last training session at the venue of the clash, Stade Charles de Gaulle, on Thursday.

The match which kicks off at 5pm would be officiated by an all-Moroccan officials led by  referee, Rédouane Jiyed.

Others include Lahsen Azgaou (assistant referee 1), Mostafa Akarkad (assistant referee 2) and Samir Guezzaz (fourth official).

Meanwhile,  Thenff.com learnt that officials of the Federation Beninoise de Football were still awaiting official letter from the Confederation of African Football as at Friday evening on the number of persons that could be admitted at the Stade Charles de Gaulle.

As of lunchtime on Friday, they were still being told that only 200 persons could attend.

“We are hoping for a favourable opinion on our letter requesting that we be allowed to have between 1,800 and 3,000 persons at the match,” said an official of the FBF.