Player Ratings: Bassey, Lookman, Osayi-Samuel struggle in Nigeria’s shocking defeat to Benin Republic

The Super Eagles of Nigeria suffered a surprising defeat to the Cheetahs of Benin Republic in matchday four of their 2026 World Cup qualifiers, Soccernet.ng reports.

Despite starting strong with Raphael Onyedika’s stunning strike giving Nigeria an early advantage, the game took a turn when Jodel Dossou equalized, and Steve Mounie secured the win for Benin.

The disappointing performance has sparked questions within the Nigerian football community regarding why the Super Eagles squandered their chances to top the table.

Here are Soccernet.ng’s player ratings based on their performances on the pitch:

Stanley Nwabali – 5/10

Struggled to command his area and was unable to make crucial saves when it mattered most.

Semi Ajayi – 5.5/10

Showed some solid defending but was part of a backline that ultimately failed to contain Benin’s attackers.

Calvin Bassey – 4/10

A lackluster performance; struggled to keep up with the pace and was often out of position.

Benjamin Taminu – 4.5/10

Had moments of good defending but was generally inconsistent and vulnerable under pressure.

Bright Osayi-Samuel – 4/10

Failed to make an impact both defensively and offensively, leading to questions about his selection.

Raphael Onyedika – 7/10

The standout performer for Nigeria, scoring a fantastic goal and showing great energy and determination.

Wilfred Ndidi – 4/10

Uncharacteristically poor performance; failed to control the midfield and was often bypassed by Benin’s attacks.

Samuel Chukwueze – 5/10

Showed flashes of his skill but was largely ineffective and struggled to make a significant impact.

Ademola Lookman – 6/10

Worked hard and tried to create opportunities but lacked the final product to change the game.

Terem Moffi – 5/10

Had a few good moments but was mostly quiet and failed to influence the game.

Sodiq Ismail – 5/10

Came on as a substitute but made little impact, struggling to get involved in the play.

Ibrahim Olawoyin – 5/10

Another substitute who failed to change the game’s dynamics; struggled to find his footing.

Paul Onuachu – 5/10

Did not make the desired impact after coming on, often isolated and unable to link up with the midfield.

Victor Boniface – 5/10

Had limited time to make an impact but didn’t show enough urgency or effectiveness when he did play.

The Super Eagles will need to regroup and address these issues quickly if they hope to turn their fortunes around in the remaining qualifiers.

Ayomide Oguntimehin

Ayomide Oguntimehin is a CAF-accredited sports journalist and an Editor at Soccernet.ng, with a proven track record in conducting interviews with Super Eagles stars such as William Troost-Ekong, Taiwo Awoniyi, Bright Osayi-Samuel, Ademola Lookman, and many others. He has also made a significant impact in breaking transfer news stories.

Grounded in video editing, video journalism, social media management, and content strategy, Ayomide brings a wealth of expertise to his work.

With a Bachelor’s degree in English Language from Adeyemi College of Education and a Master’s Degree in School Library and Media Technology from the University of Ibadan, Ayomide is well-prepared to excel in the field.