Nigerians perceive W’Cup Playoffs success after Cheetahs thrashing

Following the convincing 4-0 white-wash of Benin Republic in the final Group C match of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, a former General Secretary of the then Nigerian Football Association (NFA), Hon. Sani Ahmed Toro, a former Nigerian midfielder, Moses Kpakor, and a host of other prominent Nigerian football stakeholders are optimistic that the Super […]

Following the convincing 4-0 white-wash of Benin Republic in the final Group C match of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, a former General Secretary of the then Nigerian Football Association (NFA), Hon. Sani Ahmed Toro, a former Nigerian midfielder, Moses Kpakor, and a host of other prominent Nigerian football stakeholders are optimistic that the Super Eagles would surely clinch one of the tickets to the next World Cup through the African and inter-continental Playoffs slated for November and March 2026.

On Tuesday, October 14, former African Footballer of the Year, Victor Osimhen, was at his best as he plundered a hit-trick against the Cheetahs before Brentford midfielder Frank Oyenka, added the fourth to ensure the Galatasaray’s hitman didn’t labour in vain.

By the resounding victory, the Super Eagles finished second behind group winners South Africa as they edged out Benin Republic on goal difference to keep their World Cup hopes alive as one of the best fourth-placed teams amongst the nine runners-up.

 

“Mini-World Cup” hurdle before  Super Eagles

It is now an open secret that to reach the USA, Mexico and Canada, the Super Eagles must first pick the sole ticket at the African playoff in Morocco and then proceed to Mexico in March 2026 to fight against six other nations at the Inter-Continental  Playoff for the only two available tickets to the World Cup.

To get to the playoffs in Mexico, the Super Eagles must beat Gabon in their first match and defeat either Cameroon or Congo DR in the final of the African playoff. So, the Super Eagles have three or four more matches which they must win if they are to qualify for the World Cup.

 

 Toro, Kpakor laud Eagles, demand World Cup ticket

Although Coach Eric Chelle’s team is walking a tight rope, Hon. Sani Toro and Moses Kpakor have expressed satisfaction with the outstanding performance of the Super Eagles against Benin Republic.

They also urged the three-time African champions to go a step further by picking one of the tickets from the Playoffs to be among the countries that would represent Africa at the 2026 World Cup.

“I congratulate the Super Eagles of Nigeria, the Nigeria Football Federation, sports loving Nigerians and corporate bodies for the Super Eagles’ qualification for the CAF playoffs.

“It is a nice thing that they were able to scale through this initial hurdle. The NFF needs to put extra efforts for the Super Eagles to scale through both CAF and FIFA Inter-confederation playoff tournament in March 2026 for Nigeria to pick one of the two World Cup slots.

“Nigerians should continue to support and pray for the success of the Super Eagles,” said Hon. Toro.

In the same vein, Moses Kpakor, a member of the silver winning Super Eagles squad to the 1990 AFCON in Algeria said he was happy that after everything, Nigeria was able to maintain her head-to-head dominance over neighbours Benin Republic.

 “Yes, I am excited because with the resounding victory, we now have another chance to pick a ticket to hoist our national flag at next year’s World Cup. 

“Why wouldn’t I jubilate for such a massive victory by the Eagles? Not many Nigerians believed we were going to win the game and some who believed didn’t even believe it was going to be by such a margin,” he stated.

In an attempt to motivate the Super Eagles ahead of the Playoff, Kpakor said the reigning World Champions Argentina once qualified for the World Cup via a Playoff.

“Even almighty Argentina under the captaincy of the legendary Diego Armanda Maradona qualified for the 1990 World Cup through Playoff in 1990, if I recall correctly. In fact, they reached the final of that World Cup. 

“So, yes, I am happy for the players and Nigerians, and more than that I am happy for Eric Chelle, our coach, who has transformed our team into a team of confidence and hope for better things to come in the near future. 

“Thus, I say again to our players: Go, go, go Super Eagles. Don’t relent guys, until we are finally there in the US, Canada and Mexico,” said the former BCC Lions and Abiola Babes star player.

 

Gaiya, Lumumba, Mouktar Mohammed also express optimism

Other renowned Nigerian football stakeholders have equally queued behind the Super Eagles who face a bleak future but are still in contention for a ticket to the 2026 World Cup.

A former Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Sports, Hon. Godfrey Ali Gaiya, called for a new approach and determination as the Super Eagles prepare for the herculean task ahead.

He said: “We almost left it too late, but it is good that we still have a chance of qualifying for the World Cup in 2026. Now that we still have a window through the playoffs, we must approach the games in Morocco with a new determination and the ‘we can qualify’ spirit.

“With just a single team progressing from Africa, Super Eagles must up their game and find the thirst to play better rather than the less than average show they have been posting, less Tuesday’s game with Benin Republic.”

Another former member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Lumumba Dah Adeh, added that the Super Eagles had used the must-win match against the Cheetahs to show their full potential.

He also urged the players to maintain the never-say-die spirit of Nigeria to qualify for the World Cup.

“I must say that the Super Eagles demonstrated a different attitude and character in the match.

“Given that the campaign started poorly, one expected this kind of zeal and determination from the beginning of the qualifiers which would have saved Nigerians and even the Super Eagles all the trouble we have found ourselves in- the uncertainty and suspense.

“However, I must say the performance yesterday (Tuesday) was an exhibition of the full potential of the Super Eagles.

“Well, some may say it’s coming late but one remains hopeful and optimistic of the playoff. If this kind of attitude is maintained, the Super Eagles will perform well in the Playoff.

“As difficult as the chances are, I want to be positive and hope that Nigeria’s flag will fly at the next Mundial,” said Lumumba.

Similarly, the Chairman of the FCT Football Association, (FCT FA), Alhaji Adam Mouktar Mohammed, said the Super Eagles who exhibited “hunger and collective purpose” would qualify for the World Cup if they maintain the spirit.

“The Super Eagles’ performance against Benin Republic was a reminder that Nigerian football must return to the fundamentals: discipline, hunger and collective purpose. While the result was what we wanted, it presented another opportunity for deeper reflections and decisive reforms across our football ecosystem, in my opinion.

“We are a nation blessed with enormous talents. Qualification for the World Cup is not just an expectation, it is a national responsibility. So, we must strengthen our technical structures. We must invest in coaching development and ensure our players understand what it means to wear the green-white-green jersey.

“For now, we’ve made it to the playoffs. We must strategize and focus on how we can cross that bridge. It is going to be a tough journey but we still have hope,” said Mohammed.