The untold story behind Jodel Dossou’s equalizer against Nigeria

Jodel Dossou’s stunning equalizer for Benin against Nigeria has captured the attention of football fans worldwide. Scored in the 37th minute at the Félix Houphouet-Boigny stadium in Abidjan, Dossou’s goal was a pivotal moment in Benin’s 2-1 victory, despite an injury forcing him to leave the field shortly after.

Monday’s match saw the Cheetahs deliver an impressive performance, securing a crucial win over the Super Eagles on the fourth day of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.

Before Steve Mounié’s decisive goal in added time (45th + 3), it was Dossou who brought Benin back into contention after Raphael Onyedika had given Nigeria the lead in the 27th minute.

After the match, Dossou, formerly of Clermont Foot, revealed the intricate planning behind his goal.

He described how a strategic adjustment made during the game led to his successful strike.

“This style of play has been worked on in training. We know that Mounié Steve wins almost all duels.

Well before the action of the goal, Steve called me and told me that since Ajayi (Nigeria player) is on me all the time we will have to change strategy.

On the first occasion he let the ball pass, too bad I missed it. For the second shot I hid behind the defender and as soon as Steve left the ball I appeared and stole the ball from him to equalize,” Dossou explained, as reported by Bénin WebTV.

This coordinated move paid off spectacularly. Dossou managed to evade Nigeria’s Semi Ajayi and placed the ball precisely into Stanley Nwabali’s net, leveling the score and setting the stage for Mounié’s winning goal.

Dossou’s goal and Benin’s victory have significant implications for Group C of the qualifiers.

After four matches, Benin sits in third place with 7 points, tied with South Africa and Rwanda, who are in second and first place, respectively.

This tight grouping underscores the competitive nature of the group and the importance of each game moving forward.

Dossou’s story of teamwork and strategic brilliance adds a layer of depth to his memorable goal, highlighting the meticulous preparation that often underpins moments of individual brilliance on the football field.

As Benin continues its quest for World Cup qualification, performances like these will be crucial.

With this victory, Benin has not only boosted its chances of advancing but also demonstrated the effectiveness of tactical flexibility and on-field communication, as epitomized by Dossou and Mounié’s collaborative effort.