By Daily Sports on September 22, 2017

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Kano Pillars playmaker Rabiu Ali scored the winner for Nigeria as they edged Benin Republic 1-0 in the first semifinals to land in the 2017 Wafu Cup of Nations finals.

The match played at the Cape Coast Stadium in Ghana on Thursday saw the Nigerians took the lead in the 11th minute of the contest through Ali after Anthony Okpotu played him through on goal.

The experienced midfielder stayed composed to calmly put the ball beyond the Benin goalkeeper Steve Glodjinon.

Despite Gomez producing some of the best attacking moments for the Squirrels of Benin, Marcellin Koukpo made things worse when he was sent off for a second bookable offence and that handed the Nigerians the numerical advantage.

The Nigerians did not make the Beninoise pay for being a man down, rather it was the Squirrels who nearly levelled matters through Jules Elegbede on 52 minutes.

The game also had that one moment when Plateau United teammates, Peter Eneji (Nigeria) and Benin defender Salomon Junior had their individual battles and both men got booked for illegally stopping each other.

However Salomon did just enough to keep his team in the game when his goalline clearance deny substitute Gabriel Okechukwu from doubling the lead for Nigeria.

Nigeria will face hosts Ghana in the final of the Wafu Cup at the Cape Coast Stadium on Sunday. (Thenff.com)

•Photo shows Rabiu Ali.

Source Daily Sports

Posted September 22, 2017

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