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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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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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.

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