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Nigeria’s Super Eagles booked their place in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers playoffs with a dramatic 4-0 win over Gernot Rohr’s Benin in Uyo on Tuesday evening but the story behind that triumph was far from straightforward, Footynaija.com reports.
With just minutes left and Nigeria still a goal short of the required margin, Brentford midfielder Frank Onyeka delivered a thunderous 90th-minute volley to seal the result. The strike sent the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium into raptures and kept alive the three-time African champions’ World Cup hopes.
Under CAF’s revised system for ranking the best second-placed teams Nigeria edged Burkina Faso by the slimmest of margins. Both teams finished with 15 points, but the Super Eagles advanced thanks to a +7 goal difference, just one better than Les Etalons’ +6.
Super Eagles insider Colin Udoh has revealed that confusion over the qualification rules nearly cost Nigeria a place in the playoffs.
Speaking on ESPN FC, Udoh said some players appeared unaware that they needed a fourth goal.
“The goal was very important, it did look, for some minutes, that the players were not aware they needed a fourth goal,” Udoh explained.
“I saw the goalkeeper (Nwabali) wasting time a little bit. I don’t know whether they knew or not, so I texted someone on the bench to tell the guys that we needed a fourth goal. We got the fourth goal, and in the end, that single strike was enough for the Super Eagles to edge Burkina Faso and move on to the playoffs.”
Udoh also disclosed a crucial half-time intervention from Nigeria Football Federation President Ibrahim Gusau.
“I didn’t believe they were going to make it,” he said. “I was speaking to the NFF President after the game, and he said he was in the dressing room at half-time. He told Osimhen and the others that they needed to score four goals to make it through.”
That message, combined with Onyeka’s late effort, ensured Nigeria’s campaign stayed alive. The Super Eagles will now face Gabon in Morocco this November, pending confirmation of FIFA’s official rankings on October 23.
Such a thoughtful and well-researched piece. Thank you.
What an engaging read! You kept me hooked from start to finish.