The delegations of Nigeria and Benin Republic arrived Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital yesterday, ahead of Tuesday’s 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifying Series Matchday 10 encounter at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium.
Nigeria’s Super Eagles earned a 2-1 win over Lesotho in Polokwane on Friday to put themselves firmly in contention for the lone automatic ticket from Group C, while table-topping Benin Republic scored late against Rwanda’s Amavubi in Kigali to pick up the maximum points and maintain their three-point lead on their West African neighbours.
Goals by Captain William Ekong (from the penalty spot) and debutant Jerome Akor Adams earned Nigeria the three points at the Peter Mokaba Stadium, and the Super Eagles, 2024 AFCON runners-up, now need a two-goal win over the neighbours to the west (plus South Africa failing to beat Rwanda in Nelspruit on the same day) to bag the only automatic ticket from Group C to North America.
The circumstances are much like they were in 2001 and 2009. On both occasions, Nigeria eventually scaled through to the global finals.
After away losses to Liberia and Sierra Leone, the Super Eagles were in a precarious situation and needed to win their three remaining matches.
They started with a 2-0 defeat of leaders Liberia in Port Harcourt, made easy meat of Sudan 4-0 in Omdurman and then trounced Ghana’s Black Stars 3-0 in Port Harcourt to qualify for Korea/Japan 2002.
In 2009, Tunisia led for most of the series, and only an added-time goal by Obinna Nsofor against Mozambique in Abuja kept Nigeria in the hunt until the final day. On that final day, Nigeria needed to beat Kenya in Nairobi and for Tunisia not to win in Maputo against Mozambique.
The Eagles edged the Harambee Stars 3-2 at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani while Mozambique earned a late goal against Tunisia.
The ambitious Cheetahs, now on 17 points, are coached by Franco-German tactician Gernot Rohr, who qualified and led Nigeria at the 2018 FIFA World Cup finals in Russia.
Egyptian official Amin Mohamed Omar will be referee for Tuesday’s explosive battle, with his compatriots Mahmoud Abouelregal, Ahmed Tawfik Ali and Mahmoud Moustafa Elbana in the roles of assistant referee 1, assistant referee 2 and fourth official.
Jason Joseph Damoo from Seychelles will serve as referee assessor; Ghanaian Prosper Harrison Addo will be the commissioner and; Xolile Vilakati from eSwatini will work as security officer.
