It is judgement day for the Super Eagles of Nigeria as the qualification race to the 2026 FIFA World Cup reaches a climax with plenty still to play for in Group C on the final day.
Considering the consistent failings of the Super Eagles in this qualification series, it is indeed fascinating to note that Nigeria are still in the qualifying race not on one, but two fronts this day.
While their destiny is not entirely in their own hands, Nigeria still have genuine reasons to be hopeful on the final day of group qualification as a good win against their opponents Benin Republic can land them at least a spot among Africa’s best four second placed sides.
ACLSports Chief Football Writer Fisayo Dairo files in this preview from Uyo, venue of Tuesday’s judgement day battle.
WE HAVE HISTORY
It is important to start on a psychological note. Historically, whenever both national teams of Nigeria and Benin are paired in the same group – be it in a qualifying or a major tournament – the Super Eagles have always advanced from the group.
The most recent qualification was in 2024 when Augustine Eguavoen’s Super Eagles gleaned four points from the Cheetahs to top their qualifying group for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations tournament.
On Tuesday, Nigeria face Benin, the only team that have defeated them in this underwhelming qualification race for the 2026 World Cup but they have this advantage of always beating their small West African neighbours anytime they step their feet into Nigeria.
Benin’s last two games in Nigeria were decided in Uyo, venue of Tuesday’s occasion. The Eagles won on each occasion with Victor Osimhen on target. He will lead the attack once again on Tuesday.
THE MISSING STARS
Both Nigeria and Benin have been dealt crucial blows ahead of their meeting on Tuesday with the suspension of some invaluable players to the respective teams.
Reigning African Footballer of the Year Ademola Lookman was harshly booked in Friday’s win over Lesotho, a booking that ensured he will sit out the game against the Cheetahs.
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Lookman had started eight of Nigeria’s nine games in this qualifying series and he in fact scored twice against Benin the last time they came to Nigeria in September 2024. Although he looks out of form at the moment, he will still be a big miss for Nigeria coach Eric Chelle.
Gernot Rohr also has his own worries. His dependable midfielder Sessi D’Almeida will sit out Tuesday’s game following his second caution of the campaign against Rwanda on Friday. The Neftçi Baku star had started each of Benin’s nine games in this qualifying series but will now miss the finale against Nigeria.
Also sitting this out is defender Yohan Roche who has started all of the Cheetahs’ six matches this calendar year, including five World Cup qualifying games.
WHAT THEY SAY
There will be plenty of French at the sidelines when both teams face on Tuesday as both countries are managed by coaches who have spent decades living in France.
Nigeria’s Eric Chelle and Benin’s Gernot Rohr spoke to the press on Monday evening ahead of the game and here are some excerpts from their thoughts:
Eric Chelle:
“My first instinct is to bring something positive to my players, that’s the most important thing.
“That’s why I said we need to push these guys, especially mentally. For our second training session, I will try to add something positive again.
“I have to speak my mind to the players. I need to think about this game first, we need to win. If I say maybe two or three goals, something could happen during the game.
“I need to think about every aspect of the game. We need to stay focused on our game plan and on how our players are feeling, at this moment, tomorrow morning, in the afternoon, and before the match.
Gernot Rohr:
“We go for a win but we know that we have to be patient and we know that Nigeria has only a chance if they win, so I believe it will be a very open match.
“When you see that we played all the matches away, not one match at home.
“We are used to playing away and to have some finals. We had it also in the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
FAMILIAR OFFICIALS
Egyptian referee Amin Mohamed Omar has been assigned to take charge of Tuesday’s game. He is quite familiar with Nigerian teams and quite instructively, he officiated Nigeria’s 3-0 win over the Cheetahs last year as well as the AFCON semi-final win over South Africa in Bouake also last year.
One of the assistants for Tuesday’s game Mahmoud Abouelregal was also on duty in Uyo last September. Nigeria have kind history with Egyptian referees in FIFA World Cup qualifiers. It was another Egyptian Gehad Grisha that officiated Nigeria’s 4-0 win over Cameroon in Uyo in 2017, one of the Super Eagles’s most iconic victories at the Nest of Champions.
MATCH DETAILS:
Match: Nigeria vs Benin
Venue: Godswill Akpabio Stadium, Uyo
Time: 5pm local time
Referee: Amin Omar (Egypt)
HOW TO WATCH:
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