The Super Eagles and their opponents Benin Republic will land in Uyo on Saturday for their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium.
The two West African neighbours meet on Tuesday in a winner-takes-all battle for Group C’s sole ticket, with the Super Eagles needing to secure the three points in order to stand a chance.
Third-placed Super Eagles earned a 2-1 win over Lesotho in Polokwane on Friday to put themselves back in contention, while table-topping Benin Republic scored late against Rwanda in Kigali to win 1-0 and overtake South Africa as well as maintain their three-point lead on Nigeria.
The Nigeria delegation are scheduled to fly in from the South African city of Polokwane to Uyo aboard a chartered ValueJet Airline airplane, just as the Benin Republic delegation will arrive about the same time at the Obong Victor Attah International Airport.
The Super Eagles need a two-goal win over Gernot Rohr’s Benin Republic — and South Africa failing to beat Rwanda in Nelspruit on the same day — to secure the only automatic ticket from Group C.
Egyptian Amin Mohamed Omar will be the centre referee for Tuesday’s fixture in Uyo, with his compatriots Mahmoud Abouelregal, Ahmed Tawfik Ali and Mahmoud Moustafa Elbana serving as assistant referee 1, assistant referee 2 and fourth official respectively.
Jason Joseph Damoo from Seychelles will serve as referee assessor; Ghanaian Prosper Harrison Addo will be the commissioner and Xolile Vilakati from eSwatini will work as security officer.
