Nigeria enter this crucial World Cup qualifier with their hopes hanging by a thread. Sitting third in Group C, the Super Eagles trail Benin and South Africa, making victory at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo non-negotiable, Softfootball reports.
Their 2–1 win over Lesotho last week provided a much-needed boost after a frustrating run of dropped points that had left qualification uncertain. With the home crowd behind them and attacking quality throughout the squad, Nigeria have a golden opportunity to close the gap and hopefully book their the tickets to the 2026 World Cup.
However, head coach Eric Chelle will know that inconsistency has been the team’s biggest weakness. Nigeria have struggled to turn dominance into results, often conceding at crucial moments or failing to convert clear chances. Against a disciplined Benin Republic side, focus and execution will be vital. The Super Eagles must combine creativity with defensive solidity, as any slip-up could be fatal to their hopes of returning to the World Cup after missing the 2022 edition.
Benin Republic arrive in Uyo full of belief after an impressive qualification journey that sees them sit ahead of Nigeria in Group C. Gernot Rohr’s side have been resilient, organized, and efficient in grinding out results, including a pivotal 1–0 win over Rwanda that propelled them into contention for their first-ever World Cup appearance.
The Cheetahs have shown they can stay composed under pressure, and their familiarity with Rohr’s tactical discipline honed from his time coaching Nigeria could play a significant role in their approach.
Still, Benin will be cautious. They know Nigeria’s offensive power, led by Victor Osimhen and Tolu Arokodare can change a game in an instant. Rohr’s men are likely to sit deep, soak up pressure, and rely on counterattacks or set-piece moments to threaten. While a draw would be likely enough to see them through, they will be wary of the Super Eagles’ motivation and quality, which could make this a difficult defensive assignment in Uyo.
Team News
Nigeria will be without Ademola Lookman, who is suspended after accumulating yellow cards in previous qualifiers. However, they are boosted by the return of striker Victor Osimhen, who has been in excellent form for Galatasaray, scoring the winner against Liverpool in the UEFA Champions League.
In addition, forward Tolu Arokodare is expected to feature prominently after his match-winning goal against Rwanda. The duo of Iwobi, and Ndidi will provide further attacking and midfield stability for Eric Chelle’s side.
The super eagles of Nigeria know what it is at stake and the risk of potentially failing to qualify for back to back world cups , but all hope isn’t lost, the Nigerian national team via its official X handle shared a video of the team’s training session ahead of the must win World Cup qualifying match against Benin, watch the video below;
Benin Republic, meanwhile, will miss two key players through suspension, defender Yohan Roche and midfielder Sessi d’Almeida both of whom picked up yellow cards in their win over Rwanda. Gernot Rohr is expected to reshuffle his defence, possibly handing starts to Olivier Verdon and Melvyn Doremus. Steve Mounié will again lead the line, supported by Jodel Dossou and Tosin Aiyegun, who will look to exploit spaces on the counterattack.
Possible Lineups
Nigeria possible starting lineup:
Nwabali; Fredrick, Troost-Ekong, Bassey, Onyemaechi; Ndidi, Iwobi; Chukwueze, Simon; Osimhen, Arokodare
Benin possible starting lineup:
Dandjinou; Ouorou, Verdon, Tijani, Roche; D’Almeida, Imourane; Dossou, Dokou, Hountondji; Mounie
Benin Republic will be looking to cause an upset in uyo and qualify for their first ever World Cup, the team is focusing on the huge task ahead as they posted on their official X handle, an exclusive video of the players training on the pitch where the match will be played tomorrow, watch video below;
SoftFootball Prediction
With qualification hopes on the line, Nigeria are expected to come out firing. Osimhen adds a cutting edge to their attack, and the presence of Arokodare their most effective forward in recent qualifiers offers a second focal point in front of goal. Benin’s suspensions could weaken their defensive organization, especially away from home.
That said, Gernot Rohr’s tactical familiarity with Nigeria could help the Cheetahs stay competitive early on. Still, the Super Eagles’ superior quality and urgency should tell in the second half. Expect Nigeria to dominate possession and finally convert their chances to hopefully qualify for football’s grandest stage .
Prediction: Nigeria 2-0 Benin Republic
