The Super Eagles, ranked fifth, will take on the Cheetahs of Benin Republic, their neighbor and longtime rivals, on Monday at Stade Felix Houphouet-Boigny in Cote d’Ivoire during the fourth round of Group C of the 2026 FIFA World Cup African Qualifiers.
The pivotal match will take place three days after the Finidi George-led team was unable to defeat the South African Bafana Bafana at home in Uyo, the capital of Akwa Ibom State.
For the Eagles to have a chance to represent the United States, Canada, and Mexico at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, they must win this Monday’s game.
The Eagles’ final group-stage matchup is against former handler Gernot Rohr, who led his small Benin team to a 1-0 victory against Rwanda on Thursday.
With four more points than South Africa and Nigeria, who are currently in fourth and fifth place in the group, Benin is now in third place after their victory over Rwanda.
Despite going unbeaten in their first three games, the Super Eagles, who are now residing in fifth place in the standings, have had a very difficult season thus far.
Finidi George and his team are running out of time, so they cannot afford any more mistakes. They need to win their next several games, starting tonight against Benin, in order to qualify.
Before the match, Super Eagles coach Finidi George gave a speech in which he expressed his dissatisfaction with the draw against South Africa’s Bafana Bafana but his confidence that his team will rally and get their qualification back on track.
“We know what is at stake and that we have to qualify (for the World Cup), but that does not mean we have to run helter-skelter because of the draw,” the 53-year-old stated. “I am not shaken, I am relaxed.”
“We lost, but it shouldn’t break us; a victory will alter the course of events. We must accept that this is not the ideal outcome and go on to the next game (Benin).
Nigeria’s chances of winning the World Cup would be greatly enhanced by victory over Benin Republic.
Nigeria has dominated Benin Republic head-to-head, winning 13 of the 16 meetings, with two draws and one setback.
In the meantime, Super Eagles’ deputy chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Sports, Hon. Mohammed Buba Jajere, has tasked them with moving past Friday’s 1-1 draw with their South African opponents in Uyo and going all out to win against Benin Republic in Cote d’Ivoire.
Despite the Eagles’ dismal performance in the qualifiers, the lawmaker representing Yobe State’s Fika/Fune Federal Constituency stated that it is premature for Nigerians to harbor concerns about another World Cup disaster.
The Super Eagles avoided a home loss by displaying the proper fighting attitude, according to Jajere, even if they lost against South Africa in Uyo.
“It is premature to give up. With seven more games remaining, the Super Eagles can salvage the tenuous scenario.
Therefore, despite having lost six crucial points, they still have the opportunity to make up distance in the remaining games.
However, they need to defeat the Benin Republic tomorrow (Monday) in order to maintain optimism. The Super Eagles need to bring their best to the encounter because the Cheetahs, led by their former coach Gernot Rohr, will be a formidable opponent.
Jajere stated, “Like I said, it is not going to be a stroll in the park, but the Super Eagles can win their first match in the qualification series with the right approach and attitude.”
Thus, the lawmaker urged all Nigerians to support the Super Eagles in their endeavor to earn a spot in the upcoming World Cup.
The Super Eagles have only missed out on qualifying for two World Cups—2006 in Germany and 2022 in Qatar—since their debut at USA 94.