The Cheetahs of Benin have arrived in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, ahead of their crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying showdown against the Super Eagles of Nigeria.

The Beninese delegation, led by their football federation officials and technical crew, landed in Nigeria on Saturday, October 11, aboard a special flight chartered by the Benin government. The journey from Cotonou lasted nearly four hours, underscoring the importance the West African nation attaches to this fixture.

Buoyed by their 2–1 victory over Rwanda, the Cheetahs currently sit atop Group C and are on the brink of making history with what could be their first-ever qualification for the FIFA World Cup. The team wasted no time settling into Uyo, immediately turning their attention to Tuesday’s decisive encounter at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium.

According to officials, the team will hold its first training session on Sunday, October 12, at 10 a.m. on the annex pitch of the Uyo Stadium. The session will help the players recover from the physically demanding game against Rwanda and adjust to the Nigerian conditions ahead of the high-stakes encounter.

The match, billed for Tuesday, October 14, 2025, is shaping up to be a winner-takes-all battle. For Benin, a win or even a draw could confirm their place in the 2026 World Cup finals — an unprecedented milestone in their football history.

Meanwhile, hosts Nigeria, who are chasing a return to the global stage after missing the 2022 edition in Qatar, are under pressure to reclaim lost ground and keep their qualification hopes alive.

With both teams aware of the magnitude of the occasion, all eyes will be on Uyo as the 10th day of the World Cup qualifiers delivers one of Africa’s most decisive fixtures.

Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H

Benin’s long footballing dream is on the verge of becoming reality — and at the heart of this historic moment stands a 23-year-old striker, Andreas Hountondji, whose leadership, goals, and quiet determination have inspired the Cheetahs’ remarkable 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying run.

Once seen as perennial underdogs, the Beninese national team now sit atop Group C ahead of heavyweights Nigeria and South Africa, with two crucial matches left to determine their fate. For a country that has never reached football’s biggest stage, the stakes have never been higher.

“I honestly can’t wait,” Hountondji said with a broad grin. “I don’t know if it’s fully dawned on me yet how close we are to actually qualifying.”

A Nation Dares to Dream

The Cheetahs’ resurgence has been built on grit and belief. Their 2–1 victory over Rwanda propelled them to the summit of the group and set up a potentially decisive clash with Nigeria in Uyo. The team’s standing was also boosted by a FIFA ruling that penalised South Africa for fielding an ineligible player — but Hountondji insists Benin’s progress is no fluke.

“We’ve earned our position,” he said. “We have two matches left, and if we win them, there’s a good chance we’ll qualify directly. Our destiny is in our own hands.”

From Europe’s Pitches to Benin’s Pride

Born in France, Hountondji represents a new wave of African stars reconnecting with their heritage. After emerging from Caen’s academy and enjoying a spell at Burnley, he now plays in the German Bundesliga with St. Pauli, where his pace and composure in front of goal have caught attention.

“Playing in one of Europe’s top five leagues is a big step for me,” he said. “But representing Benin means so much more. It’s a huge responsibility, and I wanted to make sure I was ready for it.”

Since debuting for Benin in 2023 under German coach Gernot Rohr, Hountondji has become indispensable — scoring three goals in eight qualifiers and helping the Cheetahs secure qualification for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.

A New Generation Rising

Benin’s success, Hountondji believes, is rooted in unity and a collective hunger to rewrite history.

“I have so much love for this group,” he said. “Just being in this position is amazing. We’re pumped, hungry, and capable of achieving something incredible. Anything is possible.”

That sentiment has swept through Cotonou and Parakou, where fans gather at viewing centres, daring to dream of hearing Benin’s national anthem played at a World Cup for the first time.

“For any player, lining up at the World Cup is the ultimate dream,” Hountondji added. “When we come together and realise how close we are, it gives us even more motivation to cross the line.”

A Dream Within Reach

As Benin prepare for their decisive fixtures against Rwanda and Nigeria, the calm yet driven Hountondji embodies a nation’s hope — a symbol of how far belief can take a small footballing nation.

Should the Cheetahs defy the odds and reach the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Andreas Hountondji’s name will forever be etched in Benin’s sporting history — as the man who helped a quiet football nation find its roar.

Adapted from CAFonline

Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H

The Super Eagles’ return to Nigeria has been unexpectedly delayed after a chartered ValueJet aircraft conveying the team from Polokwane, South Africa, to Uyo suffered a cracked windscreen mid-air on Saturday.

According to a statement from the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), the incident occurred shortly after the plane took off from Luanda, Angola, where it had made a routine refueling stop. The pilot was said to have skillfully guided the aircraft back to the Luanda airport, ensuring the safety of all passengers on board.

The same aircraft had transported part of the Nigerian delegation to Polokwane on Thursday night ahead of Friday’s 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier against South Africa.

It was also the same plane that handled the team’s previous trips to and from Bloemfontein for last month’s clash with Bafana Bafana.

As a result of the mid-air incident, the players and officials remain stranded in Angola while efforts are being made to arrange an alternative aircraft.

“The ValueJet Airline and relevant Federal Government authorities — including the Minister of Aviation, Minister of Foreign Affairs, and the Chief of Staff to the President — are working tirelessly to secure the necessary overflying and landing permits for another aircraft to fly from Lagos to Luanda and convey the delegation to Uyo,” the NFF said in its statement.

The delay has disrupted the team’s travel plans ahead of their crucial FIFA World Cup qualifying match against Benin Republic scheduled for Tuesday in Uyo.

Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H