Benin Republic are now just a point behind the Super Eagles in Group L of the AFCON qualifiers after they stopped Lesotho 1-0 at home today.
Nigeria remain top of the group with seven points from three matches, while Benin now have six points.
The Eagles face a tricky return clash with Sierra Leone in Freetown on Tuesday after the Leone Stars staged a remarkable comeback to peg the home team 4-4 Friday night.
A loss by Nigeria in Sierra Leone Tuesday will now put the country’s chances of qualifying for the AFCON in 2022 in serious danger.