Nigeria Super Eagles arrives destination in Abidjan, prepares for crucial World Cup Qualifier against Benin Republic.
The Super Eagles have landed in Abidjan, the capital of Cote d’Ivoire, as they prepare for their crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup African qualification series Day 4 encounter against the Cheetahs of Benin Republic.
The delegation, led by the President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau, included 23 players, technical and administrative officials, several NFF Executive Committee members, and a couple of media representatives. They traveled aboard a chartered ValueJet aircraft from Obong Victor Attah Airport in Uyo, arriving at Aeroport Felix Houphouet-Boigny at noon on Sunday.
Currently, the Super Eagles find themselves in an unexpected fifth place in the six-team Group C after three matches. They understand that only a win against the Cheetahs on Monday evening will keep their World Cup aspirations alive. The World Cup finals will be jointly hosted by Canada, the USA, and Mexico in 2026.
Coach Finidi George expressed the team’s resolve upon arrival, saying, “We’re very much aware of why we are here and what we have to do. The players want to go to the World Cup and they have resolved to give their all in every game going forward. We had our opportunities against South Africa on Friday and should have won, but that is gone and we face another challenge now. We have resolved not to look too far ahead in this race. The essence is to take it one match at a time. Benin Republic is in our front now, and we must deal with that squarely.”
With only three points from their first three matches, the Super Eagles are determined to recreate their successful moments at the Stade Felix Houphouet-Boigny, where they won all three matches during the Africa Cup of Nations finals earlier this year.
The team is scheduled to hold their official training session on the familiar turf at 4 PM CIV time on Sunday.
Gabonese official Pierre Ghislain Atcho will referee Monday’s match, which kicks off at 4 PM CIV time (5 PM in Nigeria). He will be assisted by Ethiopian officials Temesgin Samuel Atango and Tigle Gizlaw Belachew, with Cameroonian Antoine Max Effa Essouma serving as the fourth official. The referee assessor will be Djamel Haimoudi from Algeria, with Burkinabe David Yameogo as the commissioner and Ivorian Atte Claude Elloh as the security officer.
The Super Eagles are ready to give their all in this crucial fixture as they aim to keep their World Cup dreams alive.
