Super Eagles seek historic third-time comeback in World Cup race
Nigeria’s Super Eagles are once again on the brink of a dramatic qualification push, hoping history repeats itself for the third time as they chase the lone automatic ticket from Group C to the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America.
On Friday, the three time African champions secured a crucial 2-1 victory over Lesotho at the Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane, South Africa.
Captain William Troost-Ekong converted from the penalty spot, while debutant Jerome Akor Adams marked his first appearance with a goal that sealed the win. The result keeps Nigeria firmly in contention, though they remain three points behind group leaders Benin Republic, who snatched a late win against Rwanda in Kigali.
The Super Eagles now face a decisive showdown against Benin Republic in Uyo on Tuesday. To qualify automatically, Nigeria must defeat their West African neighbours by at least two goals and hope South Africa fail to beat Rwanda in Nelspruit on the same day.
The team will arrive in Uyo aboard a chartered ValueJet flight, with the Cheetahs expected to land around the same time at the Obong Victor Attah International Airport.
The current scenario evokes memories of past qualification miracles. In 2001, Nigeria overcame a precarious position after losses to Liberia and Sierra Leone.
They responded with a 2-0 win over Liberia in Port Harcourt Kanu Nwankwo and Victor Agali scoring the goals and a 4-0 demolition of Sudan in Omdurman with Yakubu Aiyegbeni netting a brace after Austin Jayjay Okocha opened the scoring and Juliuis Aghahowa netting the fourth goal.
With Agali netting in the very first minute and Tijjani Babangida scoring a brace on 18 and 32 minutes, Nigeria secured a commanding 3-0 victory over Ghana to book their place at the 2002 World Cup in Korea/Japan.
A similar story unfolded in 2009. Tunisia led the group for most of the campaign, but a stoppage time goal by Obinna Nsofor against Mozambique in Abuja kept Nigeria’s hopes alive.
On the final day, the Super Eagles edged Kenya 3-2 in Nairobi, while Mozambique stunned Tunisia with a late winner in Maputo, sending Nigeria to the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.
This time, the challenge comes against a familiar face. Benin Republic are coached by Gernot Rohr, the Franco-German tactician who led Nigeria to the 2018 World Cup in Russia. His intimate knowledge of the Super Eagles adds another layer of intrigue to Tuesday’s clash.
Egyptian referee Amin Mohamed Omar will officiate the match, supported by compatriots Mahmoud Abouelregal, Ahmed Tawfik Ali, and Mahmoud Moustafa Elbana.
Jason Joseph Damoo from Seychelles will serve as referee assessor, Ghana’s Prosper Harrison Addo will act as commissioner, and Xolile Vilakati from eSwatini will oversee security operations.
