Nigeria vs Benin: Match preview － H2H, team news as Super Eagles target strong finish in 2026 WCQ

The Super Eagles of Nigeria will trade tackles with the Cheetas of Benin at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo on Tuesday. 

This is a game with grave importance for both countries. It is the final game for both countries in the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers series, and a win could decide who eventually grabs the 2026 World Cup ticket in Group C.

Benin currently top the group, and even a draw could see them through, provided that Rwanda can hold South Africa in the other Group C game. But Nigeria can also steal a ticket if they defeat Benin and South Africa drop points against the Amavubi.

Match details

• Fixture: Nigeria vs Benin
• Venue: Godswill Akpabio Stadium, Uyo, Nigeria.
• Kick-off: Tuesday, October 14. 17:00 local time
• Competition: 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers (CAF Group C).

Nigeria vs Benin: Head-to-Head

Unlike Nigeria, who are heavyweights on the continent, Benin have always been minnows in African football. As such, the Super Eagles have always dominated this fixture. In 17 meetings, the Super Eagles have won 13 games, drawn three, and lost once.

That loss came in this same qualifiers series, the reverse fixture in March 2024. Benin hosted Nigeria in Abidjan since they didn't have a stadium fit enough to play a match of this standard at home. But even without their home crowd, they came from behind to defeat the Super Eagles 2-1.

However, since that time, Nigeria have faced Benin twice in the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers. They thrashed them 3-0 first, before settling for a 1-1 in the second leg.

Recent Form

For their recent form, the Super Eagles have not lost in their last five games, picking three draws and two wins.

In their last five games, Benin have won three, and lost two. Those three wins have all come in the qualifying series.

Since appointing Gernot Rohr two years ago, things have turned around for the Cheetas, and they have become a more formidable team.

Team News

The Super Eagles will have most of their stars ready for the game against Benin. However, Ademola Lookman has been ruled out of the game due to an accumulation of yellow cards. Other important players like Ola Aina, Cyriel Dessers, and Raphael Onyedika did not make the team due to injury problems.

Coach Gernot Rohr will also miss some important players like Yohan Roche and Sessi D'Almeida, who are ineligible to play due to an accumulation of yellow cards. Rohr will also be missing the services of players like Abdoul Moumini, Junior Olaitan, and Rodolfo Aloko, who are battling injuries.

Prediction/Outlook

Even though the Super Eagles have lacked bite in their recent games, they are still massive favorites to defeat Benin on Tuesday due to the gulf in quality.

Benin will likely come to sit back and catch Nigeria on the counter, and the Super Eagles have often struggled against this kind of setup.

It is also important to note that Benin's coach Gernot Rohr understands the Nigerian players, as he coach the team team five years before his sack three years ago. So, he definitely knows one or two ways to hurt the team.

It won't be an easy game for the Super Eagles but their quality might just prevail in the end. A 2-1 result in Nigeria's favour should suffice in the end.