The Super Eagles are set to face Benin in a pivotal fourth round encounter of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers. This clash will unfold at the Felix Houphouet Boigny Stadium in Abidjan, a venue where the Nigerian team experienced significant success during the recent AFCON tournament, defeating Guinea Bissau, Angola, and Cameroon to advance to the final in February.
Benin, on the other hand, has been compelled to host their qualifying matches away from home due to their local stadiums not meeting the required standards. Currently, they are at the bottom of Group C, managing only a single point from two matches after drawing with Lesotho.
Nigeria, standing third in the same group, shares the same number of points as Lesotho and Zimbabwe. The crucial match against Benin is scheduled for June 9, just two days following Nigeria’s matchup with South Africa in Uyo.
Editorial
As the Super Eagles prepare to revisit the Felix Houphouet Boigny Stadium a venue synonymous with their recent triumphant AFCON campaign expectations are undoubtedly high. This stadium, deemed lucky for the Nigerian team, could once again serve as the backdrop for another remarkable chapter in their footballing history.
The stakes are immense, not just in terms of progressing in the World Cup qualifiers but also for reasserting Nigeria’s dominance in African football. The match against Benin is more than a mere qualifier it is a test of resilience, strategy, and teamwork. The Super Eagles must leverage their historical success at this venue to galvanize their current campaign.
Facing a team like Benin, which struggles with logistical setbacks and less favourable conditions, provides Nigeria with an opportunity to capitalize on its strengths. However, they must not underestimate their opponents or the unpredictability of football. Embracing the spirit that carried them through AFCON could be key to securing a victory and inspiring a successful run in these qualifiers.
As we look forward to June 9, let’s rally behind the Super Eagles, encouraging them to recreate the magic of their past and soar high towards qualification. Their journey is not just about one match or one venue it’s about affirming their place on the global stage, starting with victory at a stadium that feels like home.
Did You Know?
- The Felix Houphouet Boigny Stadium is named after the first President of Ivory Coast and has a seating capacity of over 34,000.
- Nigeria has participated in the FIFA World Cup six times, starting from its first appearance in 1994.
- The Super Eagles have won the Africa Cup of Nations three times in 1980, 1994, and 2013.
- Benin’s national football team is nicknamed The Squirrels because of the small, agile nature of the animal, symbolizing the team’s style of play.
- The FIFA World Cup qualifiers involve a rigorous competition structure, which for the 2026 tournament has been expanded to include 48 teams for the first time, up from the previous 32-team format.
