Super Eagles getting ready for their World Cup Qualifiers against Republic of Benin today | Credit: Arise News.
The Super Eagles are gearing up for their 2026 FIFA World Cup African qualification match against the Cheetahs of Benin Republic, scheduled for Monday in Abidjan, the capital of Côte d’Ivoire.
The team arrived on Sunday, led by the President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau.
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The delegation included 23 players, technical and administrative officials, some members of the NFF Executive Committee and Management, and a few media representatives.
They traveled on a chartered ValueJet aircraft from Uyo’s Obong Victor Attah Airport and landed at the Félix Houphouët-Boigny Airport at noon.
Currently in an unusual fifth place in the six-team Group C after three rounds, the Super Eagles understand that only a victory against the Cheetahs will keep their World Cup hopes alive. The tournament will be co-hosted by Canada, the USA, and Mexico.
Coach Finidi George expressed the team’s determination on thenff.com upon arrival: “We know our purpose here and what needs to be done. The players are committed to reaching the World Cup and are ready to give their best in every game moving forward. We had chances against South Africa on Friday and should have won, but that’s behind us. Now, we have a new challenge.”
“We’re focused on taking one match at a time. Benin Republic is our immediate concern, and we must handle that effectively,” George added.
With only three points from their first three matches, the Super Eagles face a crucial game against the Cheetahs, who have four points. The team aims to replicate their successful run at the Stade Félix Houphouët-Boigny, where they won all three matches during the Africa Cup of Nations finals earlier this year. The Eagles are set to train on the familiar turf at 4 PM local time on Sunday.
The match will be officiated by Gabonese referee Pierre Ghislain Atcho, with Ethiopian officials Temesgin Samuel Atango and Tigle Gizlaw Belachew serving as assistant referees. Cameroonian Antoine Max Effa Essouma will be the fourth official. The referee assessor will be Djamel Haimoudi from Algeria, the commissioner David Yameogo from Burkina Faso, and the security officer Atte Claude Elloh from Côte d’Ivoire. The game is set to start at 4 PM local time (5 PM Nigerian time).
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