NFF Criticizes Benin FA for National Anthem Mix-Up

In the wake of Nigeria’s 2-1 loss to the Benin Republic in their fourth game of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers on Monday, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) criticized the Beninoise Football Federation for mixing up Nigeria’s national anthem before the match, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.

Before the upset by their neighbors, the Super Eagles sparked reactions across Nigeria by singing the old national anthem, which echoed around the Felix Houphouët-Boigny Stadium in Abidjan, Benin Republic’s adopted home ground. The new anthem had been played during Nigeria’s previous game against South Africa in Uyo last Friday.

In a statement released by NFF’s Director of Media and Communications, Ademola Olajire, the NFF had provided a recording of the new national anthem to the Benin FA authorities at 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 added that the Benin FA authorities eventually played the new Nigerian national anthem before the commencement of the second half.

Nigerians, perhaps angered by the Eagles’ defeat, also expressed displeasure over the mix-up.

“With that kind of confusion home and abroad, how can they concentrate and win,” wrote fan Nnamdi Daniel on X.

Social media influencer, Daniel Regha, remarked, “Nigeria has more national anthems than goals per match. Thank you Finidi George, but the NFF also shares in the blame. Up Super Eagles.”

Another fan, David Pine, commented, “As image makers of the country, this is totally wrong and unacceptable.”

President Bola Tinubu had signed the National Anthem Bill 2024, reinstating the old anthem, “Nigeria, We Hail Thee,” into law, shifting from the usual “Arise, O Compatriots.” The “Nigeria, We Hail Thee” anthem was used from 1960, when Nigeria gained independence, until it was replaced by “Arise, O Compatriots” in 1978.