The senior men national team of Nigeria, the Super Eagles have landed at the Aeroport Felix Houphouet-Boigny, Côte d’Ivoire.
The team departed the Obong Victor Attah international airport and landed in Côte d’Ivoire on Sunday afternoon, venue for their crucial game on Monday.
Nigeria will take on Squirrels or Benin Republic in Côte d’Ivoire on Monday evening in a crucial world Cup qualifiers as they seek to avoid a repeat of the incidence that excused them from the 2022 world cup in Qatar.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be jointly hosted by Canada, the U.S and Mexico but Nigeria faces an uphill if they wish to take part in the event as they are currently sitting 5th on the log with just three points from three games.
Nigeria played their third game of the qualifiers against the Bafana Bafana of South Africa on Friday and were forced to a 1-1 draw after Dele-Bashiru equalised for Nigeria while opening his goal scoring account for the West African side.
Coach Finidi George who felt disappointed with the result said after landing on Côte d’Ivoire “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 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.”
The Super Eagles are set to train at the Stade Felix Houphouet-Boigny on Sunday at 4 PM local time to acclimate to the field where they have previously enjoyed success, having won all three matches there during the Africa Cup of Nations finals earlier this year.
The refereeing team for Monday’s encounter includes Gabonese official Pierre Ghislain Atcho as the main referee, with Ethiopian officials Temesgin Samuel Atango and Tigle Gizlaw Belachew serving as assistant referees. Cameroonian Antoine Max Effa Essouma will be the fourth official. Djamel Haimoudi from Algeria will act as the referee assessor, Burkinabe David Yameogo as commissioner, and Ivorian Atte Claude Elloh as security officer.
The Super Eagles, with only three points from their first three matches, must secure a victory against the Cheetahs, who currently have four points, to stay in contention for World Cup qualification.
