Gifted Markson
The Super Eagles of Nigeria are gearing up for a crucial match against the Benin Republic, aiming to secure a vital win to enhance their chances of qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The match is set to take place on Monday 10th June at 5:00 PM Nigerian time.
This fixture follows a tense 1-1 draw against South Africa at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo on Friday night. The Super Eagles were criticized heavily by both fans and pundits for their first-half performance under new coach Finidi.
Questionable selections and poor tactics saw the visitors take a 1-0 lead into halftime.
However, Nigeria rallied in the second half, with Dele Bashiru scoring a brilliant equalizer in the 46th minute.
The Super Eagles have since arrived in Abidjan, where they are preparing for their must-win encounter against the Benin Republic, currently coached by former Super Eagles manager Gernot Rohr.
Under Rohr, the Cheetahs will be looking to capitalize on their rare opportunity to secure a victory against Nigeria, a feat they have only achieved once in their history.
Nigeria’s current position in the qualifying group standings is precarious. They sit fifth with three points, two points behind group leaders Lesotho. A win against Benin Republic could catapult them to second place, depending on the outcomes of other group matches.
The stakes are high, and Nigerian fans are eagerly anticipating a strong performance from their team in what promises to be an exciting World Cup qualifying match.