World Cup
Brazil return to winning ways with dreary win over Ecuador
Brazil got back to winning ways in the South American World Cup qualifiers with a drab 1-0 victory over Ecuador on Friday thanks to first-half goal by Real Madrid forward Rodrygo.
After its first streak of losses in three successive qualifiers, Brazil did just enough to earn the win that lifted the struggling five-time World Cup champions to fourth in the standings with 10 points.
They are eight points behind leaders Argentina and only two points over Ecuador in sixth, the last spot guaranteed a berth at the 2026 finals.
Playing their first match after a disappointing Copa America defeat to Uruguay in the quarter-final, Brazil had another lacklustre performance, dominating possession but failing to create clear chances throughout the match.
Brazil misplaced too many passes and struggled to connect up front, out of ideas on how to beat Ecuador’s rock solid defensive block.
Ecuador were relentless while applying a physically aggressive pressure high with three hardworking forwards, making the locals uncomfortable when putting the ball in play. They Brazil almost no room to get inside their box either, forcing them to roam the ball horizontally around their penalty area and resort to strikes from long range.
Brazil’s only two shots on target on the first half were made by Rodrygo, who, after stinging the goalkeeper’s hands from a free kick early, were lucky to break the deadlock in the 29th minute. His effort fired from the edge of the box deflected off a defender and arched around the wrong-footed goalkeeper before hitting the right post and finding the back of the net.
Ecuador almost levelled in a counterattack right before the break, but defender Gabriel Magalhaes denied Moises Caicedo’s effort with a last-minute goal-line clearance.
Brazil came back even worse in the second half, with an uninspired Vinicius Jr creating their only shot on target in an absolutely morose 45 minutes, with boos greeting the final whistle.
“We needed this win, doesn’t matter if it was ugly or not. I’m happy with the victory and to have scored, and I hope it helps us getting better and progressing to the level that we want to reach moving forward,” Rodrygo told Brazilian TV Globo. Brazil will face Paraguay at Asuncion on Tuesday while Ecuador is set to host Peru in Quito on Monday.
-Reuters
Benin Republic head coach Gernot Rohr has confirmed that two of his most influential players — Sessi d’Almeida and Yohan Roche — will be unavailable for selection after receiving their second yellow cards in the Cheetahs’ hard-fought 1–0 victory over Rwanda on Friday.
Rohr has reportedly expressed disappointment over the suspensions but remained optimistic about his team’s chances against his former employers.
“We have lost two players for the match against Nigeria as a result of a second yellow card,” Rohr said. “But all is possible for the three teams — South Africa, Benin and Nigeria. We now have the decision in our hands. This can be a little advantage, but we will see. Big suspense until the end of the qualifiers.”
Key Losses for the Cheetahs
The absence of Sessi d’Almeida, a combative defensive midfielder who plies his trade with Pau FC in France’s Ligue 2, will be a major blow for Benin. Known for his tenacity, tactical intelligence, and leadership, the 29-year-old is the heartbeat of Rohr’s midfield — often dictating play and breaking up opposition attacks.
D’Almeida, who previously featured for Barnsley and Valenciennes, has been one of the Cheetahs’ most consistent performers throughout the qualifying campaign.
Also suspended is Yohan Roche, the dependable central defender who plays for Red Star FC in France. The 27-year-old, of Beninese and French descent, has been a key figure in Rohr’s backline, bringing composure, aerial strength, and organization to a side that has conceded just four goals in the qualifiers.
His absence leaves a significant void in Benin’s defensive setup as they prepare to face Nigeria’s potent attack.
A Familiar Foe Awaits
For Rohr, Tuesday’s encounter carries special meaning. The Franco-German tactician previously managed Nigeria from 2016 to 2021, leading the Super Eagles to qualification for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia and a third-place finish at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt.
Now on the opposite side, Rohr is hoping to guide Benin Republic to their first-ever World Cup appearance — a historic feat that would mark the pinnacle of his coaching career.
Meanwhile, the Super Eagles, also missing star forward Ademola Lookman through suspension, are determined to bounce back and keep their qualification hopes alive.
With both sides depleted but motivated, Tuesday’s clash in Uyo promises to be a tactical and emotional battle — one that could shape the destiny of Group C in Africa’s road to the 2026 World Cup.
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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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