Players of Nigeria’s Super Eagles have resolved to put in extra effort in the remainder of the 2026 FIFA World Cup African Zone Qualifying.
Chief coach Finidi George revealed this after the team arrived in Abidjan Cote d’Ivoire today ahead of tomorrow’s matchday four clash against Cheetahs of Benin Republic.
Finidi George said on arrival: “We’re very much aware of why we are here and what we have to do. The players want to go to the World Cup and they have resolved to give their all in every game going forward. We had our opportunities against South Africa on Friday and should have won, but that is gone and we face another challenge now.
“We have resolved not to look too far ahead in this race. The essence is to take it one match at a time. Benin Republic is in our front now, and we must deal with that squarely.”
The traveling delegation, led by President of Nigeria Football Federation, Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau, included 23 players, technical and administrative officials, a few members of the NFF Executive Committee and Management, and a couple of media representatives. They flew aboard a chartered ValueJet aircraft from the Obong Victor Attah Airport in Uyo and landed at the Aeroport Felix Houphouet-Boigny at noon today.
The Eagles had been scheduled to have a feel of the familiar turf during their official training at 4pm CIV time today.
With only three points from their first three matches of the campaign, and going up against the Cheetahs who boast four points, the Eagles know they must fire on all cylinders to recreate the happy moments of the AFCON at the Stade Felix Houphouet-Boigny, where they won all three matches played at the arena during the Africa Cup of Nations finals earlier in the year.
Gabonese official Pierre Ghislain Atcho will be the referee for Monday’s encounter that commences at 4pm CIV time (5pm in Nigeria).
Ethiopian officials Temesgin Samuel Atango and Tigle Gizlaw Belachew will respectively serve as assistant referees 1 and 2, while Cameroonian Antoine Max Effa Essouma will be fourth official.
Djamel Haimoudi from Algeria will be the referee assessor, with Burkinabe David Yameogo as commissioner and Ivorian Atte Claude Elloh as security officer