The Nigerian national football team, the Super Eagles, has arrived in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire, for their upcoming World Cup African qualification series Day 4 match against the Benin Republic’s Cheetahs. Led by the President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau, the delegation includes players, technical and administrative officials, NFF executives, management members, and media representatives.
The team flew on a chartered ValueJet aircraft from Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, and landed at the Aeroport Felix Houphouet-Boigny on Sunday afternoon. Currently sitting in fifth place in Group C after three matches, the Super Eagles are aware that a victory against the Cheetahs is crucial to their chances of qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be jointly hosted by Canada, USA, and Mexico.
Coach Finidi George emphasized the team’s determination, stating that they are focused on taking one match at a time. He acknowledged the missed opportunities in their previous game against South Africa but emphasized the need to face the challenge ahead. The Eagles are prepared to give their all and aim to recreate the success they had during the recent Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) finals, where they won all three matches played at the Stade Felix Houphouet-Boigny.
The team is scheduled to have an official training session on Sunday afternoon to familiarize themselves with the turf. The match against the Cheetahs will be officiated by Gabonese referee Pierre Ghislain Atcho, with Ethiopian officials Temesgin Samuel Atango and Tigle Gizlaw Belachew serving as assistant referees. Cameroonian Antoine Max Effa Essouma will be the fourth official, while Djamel Haimoudi from Algeria will serve as the referee assessor. The match is set to kick off at 4pm CIV time (5pm in Nigeria).
The Super Eagles are determined to secure a victory and keep their World Cup qualification hopes alive.
