Na do-or-die time be dis one for di Super Eagles as dem go lock horns with Benin Republic tonight for Godswill Akpabio Stadium, Uyo.
Na di final Group C game for di 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, and Nigeria qualification hope dey hang like thread. If dem wan reach di World Cup, dem must win, no story, and still dey pray make results elsewhere go favour dem.
Match Preview — Tension Full Everywhere
This campaign don be one long rollercoaster for Nigeria, draws wey suppose be wins, missed chances, and last-minute heartbreaks. After dem miss out for Qatar 2022, nobody reason say di Super Eagles fit dey close to missing two World Cups back-to-back.
Since 1994 wey dem first show face for World Cup, e never happen before say Nigeria no qualify two times straight. But now, na miracle we dey wait for.
Before dis final round, Nigeria dey third for Group C with 14 points from nine matches, three wins, five draws, and one loss. Dem don score 11 goals and chop eight. Di maths clear: Nigeria dey three points behind Benin and one behind South Africa.
To qualify direct, Super Eagles must beat Benin by at least two goals, then dey hope say South Africa no beat Rwanda. If South Africa win, e still mean Nigeria need win with two goals gap to grab playoff ticket by goal difference.
After Friday 2-1 victory over Lesotho, courtesy of captain William Troost-Ekong and new boy Akor Adams, morale don rise small. But truth be say, Nigeria still put demself for wahala with all di draws wey dem collect earlier for campaign. Everything now dey out of their hand — na other result go tell whether hope still dey.
Benin — Rohr vs Him Former Boys
On di other side, Benin dey ready to make history. Gernot Rohr, di man wey coach Nigeria from 2016 to 2021, now dey lead Benin, and e don turn dem to one of di surprise teams for Africa qualifiers.
Di Cheetahs dey top Group C with 17 points — five wins, two draws, and two losses. Dem don score 12 goals, concede seven, and just dey play rugged football.
Last time out, Benin beat Rwanda 1-0 thanks to Tosin Aiyegun wey come from bench to score. Dat win push dem reach top of di table. Rohr also be di same coach wey masterminded Benin’s 2-1 win over Nigeria for June 2024 — di only time Nigeria don ever lose to Benin in eight meetings.
E pain die! So you fit imagine di emotion for dis one — Rohr vs him old boys, Benin vs big brother Nigeria, and World Cup ticket dey on di line.
Nigeria recent form (All competitions): WWDWDW
Benin recent form (All competitions): DLLWWW
Team News — Injuries, Suspensions, Wahala
Super Eagles no go get Atalanta winger Ademola Lookman as e dey suspended after yellow card against Lesotho. Right-back Ola Aina still dey injury list since di 1-1 draw with South Africa. Alex Iwobi go hold midfield again — many fans dey drag am, but truth be say di Fulham man na one of di few wey still dey move ball forward with sense.
For attack, na Victor Osimhen — top scorer for qualifying with three goals — go lead di line. Beside am, Tolu Arokodare go support, while Moses Simon and Samuel Chukwueze go dey bomb from wings. William Troost-Ekong go marshal di backline with Calvin Bassey, and Stanley Nwabali go still dey between di sticks.
For Benin, na Steve Mounie go lead attack with support from Jodel Dossou. Rohr no too dey change him back four — Tamimou Ouorou, Olivier Verdon, Mohamed Tijani, and Yohan Roche go start again, while Marcel Dandjinou go keep post.
Probable Lineups
Nigeria possible XI: Nwabali; Fredrick, Troost-Ekong, Bassey, Onyemaechi; Ndidi, Iwobi; Chukwueze, Simon; Osimhen, Arokodare
Benin possible XI: Dandjinou; Ouorou, Verdon, Tijani, Roche; D’Almeida, Imourane; Dossou, Dokou, Hountondji; Mounie
Live Commentary Vibe — The Pressure Don High!
Di stadium don full, national anthem don end, and every heart dey beat loud for Uyo. Na pride, history, and redemption dey on di line.
Nigeria no fit afford mistake tonight. Victor Osimhen dey lead di charge, hand on heart, eyes fixed, you fit see di hunger. Coach Finidi dey wave hand from touchline, shouting orders like man wey no go gree see failure twice.
From kickoff, expect wahala, Chukwueze dey right, Simon dey left, Iwobi dey control mid, and Ndidi dey break play. Benin dey sit deep, but dem get confidence, dem dey smell another upset. Rohr dey stand tall for touchline, looking like man wey wan prove point say “una bin no appreciate me.”
For crowd, e no be ordinary noise, na roar of hope. Every pass, every tackle dey met with shout. Nigeria must attack, must score early. The vibe na “we no go carry last.”
Prediction
Despite all di drama, na nights like dis dey make football sweet. Pressure fit either break or build champions, and di Super Eagles know say na now or never. Benin go come strong, no doubt, but with home crowd, passion, and desperation, e fit turn to fire wey ignite performance.
Our Take: Nigeria 3–0 Benin. Super Eagles go show fight, go show pride, and go keep di World Cup dream alive… at least till other results show face.
LIVE Updates — Stay Tuned!
This page go dey updated regularly as action dey unfold for Uyo. From kickoff to final whistle, we go drop every key moment, goal, and drama as e happen.
Just stay here make you catch all di live gist from Nigeria vs Benin clash for World Cup qualification!
