Two minutes later, Benin keeper Saturnin Allagbe made a brilliant one handed save to tip over a snap shot from Kelechi Iheanacho.
Benin had their first effort at goal in the 21st minute, but it was a faint one, and the closest they cam with threatening the Nigerian backline. Steve Mounie turned quickly from 30 yards out before unleashing a shot from his right boot, but the effort trickled wide.
The Nigerians continued dominating and Osimhen once again had a chance in the 24th minute. However, the lanky Napoli striker took a hurried shot that was easily saved when a good interchange of passes released him into the box.
Gernot Rhor’s men were playing some good football and some neat team play in the 33rd minute almost opened up the opening goal when Ola Aina switched flanks to float the ball to Onyekuru on the left, the winger teeing up Iheanacho but his shot deflected for a corner.
A minute to the break, Benin keeper Allagbe made a super block at point blank to deny Onyekuru who snapped in a quick header from a decent Zaidu Sanusi cross from the left.
