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President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has urged the Super Eagles to go all the way and book their ticket to the 2026 FIFA World Cup after their 4-0 victory over Benin Republic on Tuesday night in Uyo.
The President, in a congratulatory message, praised the players for restoring belief and pride in Nigerian football with their dominant display at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium, which confirmed the team’s spot in the African play-offs.
Tinubu applauded the fighting spirit, teamwork, and determination shown by the squad, describing their performance as a reflection of the nation’s resilience.
“While the job is not yet complete, I join millions of Nigerian football fans in wishing our team every success in the play-offs,” the President said.
“The mood across the country reflects a shared belief that Nigeria deserves a place in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which Canada, Mexico, and the United States will host.
“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.”
Victor Osimhen was the star of the night, netting a stunning hat-trick before Frank Onyeka added a late goal to seal the win. The result pushed Nigeria to 15 points with a +7 goal difference, enough to finish among the top four second-placed teams in the African qualifiers.
The Super Eagles will now face another second-placed side, Gabon, in a CAF play-offs that will determine who qualifies for a 6-team FIFA Play-offs which will produce two teams for the expanded 48-team World Cup.
For a team that had faced the possibility of missing back-to-back World Cups for the first time since 1994, Tuesday’s performance offered a much-needed boost of confidence. It was also the first time Nigeria scored four or more goals in a single game since September 2023.
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