By Ben Efe 13.10.2025
Nigeria’s Super Eagles would have to pull the rabbit from the hat and hope for a hat-trick of goals as they play against Benin Republic’s Cheetahs in Tuesday’s World Cup qualifiers in Uyo Akwa Ibom State.
Star striker Victor Oshimen with the rest of the team returned to Uyo Sunday weary, after flight disruptions kept them waiting in Launda, Angola for a whole day. This was after they scrapped up a 2-1 win against Lesotho in Polokwane, South Africa.
Osimhen who set up Adams Akor for the second goal after captain Williams Troost-Ekong scored from spot, is wary about the Super Eagles fitness to score a resounding victory over the Cheetahs who are only a draw away from their winning their first ever World Cup ticket.
Right from the start the Super Eagles have been so poor in the 2026 World Cup, it had to do largely with poor motivation, poor coaching and lackadaisical attitude from the players, and now they are depending on the last roll of the dice to bring them good luck.
“Against Benin, we will be underdogs, and Benin are the favourite to win. Because we have been playing a bad game for our standards, it just doesn’t come together,” Osimhen lamented
“We cannot promise our fans much. But we will fight. This group keeps on giving – it doesn’t stop. We hope it will be our turn to be on top on Tuesday if we play our part as players. I don’t want to talk much about other things, but I am not happy [with] how we represent our country.”
Indeed, for Benin Cheetahs coached by Gernot Rohr a man who qualified Nigeria for the 2018 World Cup with games to spare, all they have to do is prevent the Super Eagles from playing or scoring and they would be home and dry.
“Yes, it will be a wonderful final in Uyo and it’s in our hands [to qualify for a historic first World Cup finals], which is unimaginable when you see Nigeria and South Africa behind us,” coach Rohr stated.
“But all can change in one game, the last game. So, we are very humble, and we know that we have to do it again, and it will be more difficult in Nigeria than in Rwanda. We know this, of course.”
Benin beat Nigeria 2-1 in the first tie decided in Cote d’Ivoire the Cheetahs’home ground in between the World Cup qualifiers, the Super Eagles knocked the Cheetahs in an Africa Cup of Nations qualifier 3-0 in Uyo. But it remained to be seen if the Super Eagles can repeat such bravado.
Group C standing
Benin: 17 points (+5 GD)
South Africa: 15 points (+3 GD)
Nigeria: 14 points (+3 GD)
Rwanda: 11 points (-1 GD)
Lesotho: 9 points (-4 GD)
Zimbabwe: 5 points (-6 GD)
Possible starting lineups
Nigeria: Nwabali (goalkeeper); Troost-Ekong, Fredrick, Bassey, Onyemaechi; Ndidi, Iwobi; Chukwueze, Simon; Osimhen, Arokodare
Benin: Dandjinou (goalkeeper); Ouorou, Verdon, Tijani, Roche; D’Almeida, Imourane; Dossou, Dokou, Hountondji; Mounie
Group C fixtures
Nigeria v Benin
South v Rwanda
Lesotho v Zimbabwe (Monday)
Super Eagles...Victor Osimhen, Calvin Bassey, Troost Ekong and Semi Ajayi... need to do more than try.