The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), has lashed out at the Beninoise Football Federation for mixing up Nigeria’s national anthem before the kick-off of the match.
Before the Super Eagles were shocked by their neighbours, ssssss 2-1 against the Benin Republic in their fourth game of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers on Monday, the team had sparked reactions across Nigeria as the players sang along to the old national anthem.
2026 W’Cup Qualifier: Nigeria suffer shock defeat to Benin Republic
The new anthem was used during Nigeria’s previous game of the qualification series against South Africa in Uyo last Friday.
According to a statement made by the NFF’s Director of Media and Communications, Ademola Olajire, following the game, the NFF gave a recording of the new national anthem of Nigeria to the Benin FA authorities during the match coordination meeting in Abidjan on Sunday evening.
“We gave them the recording of our new national anthem, only for them to play the wrong one at the beginning of the match.
“We protested strongly and insisted that the Super Eagles would not start the second half until the new national anthem of Nigeria was played,” Head of International Competitions, Dayo Enebi Achor, said in the statement.
The statement further stated that before the start of the second half of the game, the new national anthem of Nigeria was played by the Benin FA officials.
President Bola Tinubu had signed the National Anthem Bill 2024, reverting to the old anthem, “Nigeria, We Hail Thee,” into law, shifting from the previous “Arise, O Compatriots.”
