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Super Eagles Fired Up For Benin Showdown As Chelle, Troost-Ekong Promise Victory

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The Super Eagles are brimming with confidence ahead of Tuesday’s all-important 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier against the Benin Republic at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo at 5 p.m. today.

Head coach Eric Chelle has assured Nigerians that the Super Eagles will go all out for victory, describing the match as one that must be won at all costs.

“We have to win this game tomorrow. I have to put my mind into tomorrow’s game; we must win and nothing more. We want to go to the World Cup. I am very happy, very excited. Sometimes, we may be a little nervous,” Chelle told reporters during the pre-match press conference on Monday.

Team captain William Troost-Ekong also expressed confidence in the squad’s readiness, saying the players are determined to make the nation proud.

“There are players here who want to make names for themselves, and those who will want their names to go down well in history. So, they are fully prepared and will play to win,” Ekong said.

“Tomorrow may not be 100 per cent in our hands, but we try to do our best and win the match.”

Despite the travel setback that saw the team’s flight from Luanda, Angola, return after its windscreen cracked midair, Chelle revealed that the squad remains focused and motivated. He praised his players for maintaining a positive spirit despite the challenges.

Nigeria’s World Cup dream is hanging by a thread as they prepare to face group leaders Benin Republic in what could be a make-or-break encounter. The Super Eagles currently sit third in Group C with 14 points from nine games, trailing Benin by three points and South Africa by one.

For Nigeria to secure an automatic qualification, they must defeat the Benin Republic and hope that South Africa fail to beat Rwanda in Mbombela. If Bafana Bafana win, the Eagles would still need a high-margin victory to edge into the play-off spot on goal difference.

Having missed the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, the Super Eagles are desperate to avoid back-to-back absences from football’s biggest stage, something that has never happened since their debut appearance in 1994.

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Super Eagles Of Nigeria Starting Eleven For 2026 World Cup Qualifiers Against Benin

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The Super Eagles of Nigeria have announced their starting lineup for tonight’s decisive 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier against the Benin Republic at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo.

Stanley Nwabali retains his place in goal, while the defensive setup features Benjamin Fredrick, Zaidu Sanusi, Semi Ajayi, and Calvin Bassey. Wilfred Ndidi, who captains the side, is expected to play a key role in anchoring the midfield and organising the backline. He will be supported in the midfield by Alex Iwobi.

In the attack, Victor Osimhen leads the charge with support from Samuel Chukwueze, Moses Simon, and Akor Adams. William Troost-Ekong is unexpectedly left out of the starting lineup, while Ademola Lookman is suspended due to the accumulation of yellow cards.

Nigeria’s starting XI:

Nwabali (GK), Fredrick, Sanusi, Ndidi (C), Ajayi, Bassey, Osimhen, Chukwueze, Adams, Simon, Iwobi.

Substitutes: Adebayo, Ekong, Arokodare, Onyeka, Onyemaechi, Abdullahi, Obasogie, Uche, Moffi, Olusegun.

The Super Eagles of Nigeria have announced their starting lineup for tonight’s decisive 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier against the Benin Republic at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo.

Kick-off is at 5 p.m. Nigerian time, with live coverage on DStv (SuperSport), StarTimes, Sporty TV, FIFA+, and beIN Sports.

It was reports that Nigeria go into the match knowing only a win will keep their World Cup hopes alive. The Super Eagles are third in Group C with 14 points, one behind South Africa and three adrift of leaders Benin Republic.

A victory tonight, combined with a slip-up from South Africa against Rwanda in Mbombela, could send Nigeria to the World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

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Eric Chelle: Nigeria Vs Benin Clash Is the Most Important Game Of My Career

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Super Eagles head coach, Eric Chelle, has described tonight’s World Cup qualifier against the Benin Republic as the biggest test of his coaching career.

Nigeria face the Cheetahs at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium at 5 p.m. in Uyo later today, knowing that only a win will keep their 2026 FIFA World Cup hopes alive.

Speaking at Monday’s pre-match press conference, Eric Chelle admitted that the weight of expectation on his shoulders is enormous but said he welcomes the pressure.

“For me, as a coach, it’s maybe the most important game of my career,” the Malian tactician said. “I’m happy, I’m excited, sometimes a little nervous but I like the pressure.”

Chelle, who took over as head coach earlier this year, is hoping to inspire a strong response from his players after a turbulent qualification campaign that has left Nigeria chasing from behind in Group C. The Super Eagles currently sit third in the group with 14 points, trailing South Africa and leaders Benin Republic.

Meanwhile, Atalanta forward Ademola Lookman will play no part in the crucial fixture after receiving a yellow card in last week’s 2-1 victory over Lesotho.

Lookman was present at Monday’s training session but did not join the rest of the squad on the pitch. Instead, he watched from the sidelines, dressed in casual wear rather than training gear.

Chelle’s decision to exclude the winger from full training was seen as a precautionary move to avoid any eligibility issues.

It was reports that South Africa were recently punished by FIFA with a three-point and three-goal deduction after fielding an ineligible player, Teboho Mokoena, in March’s qualifier against Lesotho.

With Lookman unavailable, Chelle will be counting on the likes of Victor Osimhen, Samuel Chukwueze and Alex Iwobi to deliver a result that could shape Nigeria’s journey to the World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

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Gernot Rohr: My Mission In Nigeria Is To Take Benin Republic To 2026 World Cup

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Benin Republic head coach, Gernot Rohr, has made it clear that his return to Nigeria has nothing to do with emotions but everything to do with the business of securing a World Cup ticket.

The former Super Eagles manager, who now leads the Cheetahs of the Benin Republic, is just one step away from making history by guiding the tiny West African nation to their first-ever FIFA World Cup. Benin currently tops Group C with 17 points from nine matches, sitting above South Africa and Nigeria.

Speaking with journalists in Uyo ahead of Tuesday’s high-stakes clash at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Gernot Rohr said his focus is solely on his team’s qualification dream.

“I have a lot of friends in Nigeria, even in this team. Some of the players here are ones I brought into the squad,” Rohr said. “But this is not a moment for emotions or memories. The focus is on a big match, and we’ll all be there to witness it.”

Kickoff is scheduled for 5 p.m., and the stakes couldn’t be higher. While Benin need only a draw to seal qualification, the Super Eagles must win by at least two goals to keep their hopes of reaching the 2026 World Cup in the USA, Canada, and Mexico alive.

Rohr, who coached Nigeria from 2016 to 2021, warned that his team is no stranger to tough away battles. Due to CAF’s stadium restrictions, Benin have played all their qualifying matches outside their home country.

“When you see that we played all the matches away, not one match at home,” Rohr explained. “We are used to playing away and having some finals. We also had it in the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers. We also had the last game very difficult in Libya under very special circumstances. Nigeria saw how it is there, and we won there in a very bad atmosphere.”

The 70-year-old German tactician believes that the experience of constantly playing on the road has toughened his squad and given them the mental edge to face Nigeria in Uyo.

“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,” he added.

Despite the rivalry and tension surrounding the fixture, Rohr called for calm, reminding everyone that football should unite, not divide.

“It’s not a war, it’s a football game. Whatever the result will be, we will leave here and we will stay friends,” Rohr told reporters. “Now the moment for us is to be ready, to be relaxed and to have a good game tomorrow.”

With South Africa also set to face Rwanda in the group’s other fixture, Tuesday’s matches will decide who earns a direct ticket to North America next summer.

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