2026 World Cup: We must win tomorrow’s match – Chelle

Etim Ekpimah

Super Eagles Coach, Eric Chelle, has assured Nigerians that the match between Benin Republic and Nigeria is a must-win.

Chelle spoke during the pre-match interview in Uyo on Monday. He added that the Super Eagles players were in high spirits for the game.

According to him, the players are focusing on the game. This focus allows them to put in their best effort to secure a victory against the Beninois.

He said, “We have to leave the past behind us and stay focused for tomorrow’s game. We want to go to the 2026 World Cup. We have to eschew nervousness and focus on what is ahead of us.”

Captain of the team, Troost Ekong, said the team do not want to look back on what they did earlier. They want to look forward to what they will do tomorrow.

“We don’t want to look back on what we have done before. We have to look forward to what we are going to do tomorrow. The team is very focused, and I’ve said it so many times earlier.

“There are players here who want to make names for themselves. Some will want their names to go down well in history.

“Tomorrow may not be 100 per cent in our hands. It hasn’t been in the last years. Every time we try to control what we can control. I remember when we qualified here in 2017 for the World Cup 2018. Now, tomorrow we can make the same memory again,” he said.

Earlier, Benin Republic Coach, Gernot Rohr, said his team would be victorious over the Super Eagles of Nigeria. He added that they had won Nigeria before and they would do it again.

He added that they had a well-prepared mind against Nigeria in Tuesday’s game.