Nigeria’s Super Eagles have finally arrived in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, ahead of Tuesday’s must-win clash against the Cheetahs of Benin Republic in the final Group C matchday of the 2026 FIFA World Cup African qualifiers.

The team touched down at the Victor Attah International Airport, Uyo, at 8:05 a.m. on Sunday, following a ValueJet-operated flight that brought the Nigerian delegation back from Angola. According to reports, the airline dispatched a special aircraft to facilitate the team’s prompt return after logistical delays.

Team media officer Promise Efoghe confirmed that the Super Eagles will hold a closed training session at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium on Sunday evening as they begin final preparations for the high-stakes encounter.

A pre-match press conference has been scheduled for Monday at 6:00 p.m., followed by the team’s official training session at 6:30 p.m., the first 15 minutes of which will be open to the media for coverage.

The match against Benin, described by observers as a “zero-option” fixture, will determine Nigeria’s qualification fate as the race for the 2026 World Cup intensifies across Africa. The Super Eagles, under coach Eric Chelle, will be aiming for a decisive victory to keep their hopes of reaching

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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.

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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

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