It was very tight early in the game at the Stade de Matheu Kerekou in Cotonou with chances few to come by for either side.

The home side gradually started dominated and got a host of chances. They hit the crossbar and kept the Super Eagles defence busy.

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With Nigeria holding out for a draw, the Squirrels got a penalty in the 90th minute which Mama Seibou converted to give the Republic of Benin a 1-0 win in the first leg.

President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Amaju Pinnick was in Cotonou to watch the game live alongside Shehu Dikko and other board members.

Nigeria will host the Republic of Benin a week later, Sunday, August 19 in Kano.

Winner of the two leg tie will qualify for the 2018 CHAN in Kenya.

Nigeria have only qualified for two editions of CHAN, finishing third in South Africa 2014 and crashing out in the first round in Rwanda 2016.