President Bola Tinubu has congratulated the Super Eagles following their emphatic 4–0 victory over the Cheetahs of Benin Republic on Tuesday, Sports247 reports.
President Bola Tinubu commended the team’s determination in keeping Nigeria’s hopes of qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup alive.
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A resurgent Super Eagles, inspired by a sensational hat-trick from Victor Osimhen, cruised to victory in Uyo to book a place in the CAF playoffs for the 2026 World Cup.
In a statement issued on Tuesday by his spokesperson, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, President Tinubu applauded the players for reigniting belief among millions of football-loving Nigerians.
“While the job is not yet complete, I join millions of Nigerian football fans in wishing our team every success in the playoffs,” the President said.
“The mood across the country reflects a shared belief that Nigeria deserves a place in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be hosted by Canada, Mexico, and the United States.
“As your President, I assure you and the coaching crew of the Federal Government’s support as you strive to secure your place at the tournament. Nigerians everywhere believe in you, and I do too. We look forward to seeing you fly our flag proudly on the world stage.”
Despite the dominant performance, Nigeria narrowly missed out on an automatic qualification ticket, as South Africa topped Group C with a 3–0 victory over Rwanda in Johannesburg.
The Super Eagles will now compete in the CAF playoffs, joining the three best second-placed teams across the nine qualifying groups.
The playoffs will follow a semifinal-final format, with the winners advancing to a FIFA intercontinental playoff for a potential tenth African World Cup slot.
The decisive second round of the CAF qualifying playoffs is scheduled to take place in Morocco from November 10 to 18.
