The Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, has expressed its displeasure after the Beninoise Football Federation played the old Nigerian national anthem before Monday’s 2026 World Cup qualifying match in Abidjan.
In a statement signed by the NFF’s Head of International Competitions, Dayo Enebi Achor, he explained that they handed over a recording of the new national anthem to the Benin FA authorities at the Match Coordination Meeting in Abidjan on Sunday evening.
The new anthem, which was passed into law only weeks ago, was eventually played before the second half.
“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,” Achor said.
The Super Eagles lost the game 2-1, with all the goals coming in the opening 45 minutes.
2026 WCQ: NFF left fuming after Benin Republic plays wrong national anthem
