Nigeria’s Super Eagles coach, Eric Chelle, has expressed confidence in his team’s ability to secure a win against Benin Republic in their crucial World Cup qualifier on Tuesday. Speaking at a pre-match news conference at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo on Monday, Chelle assured Nigerians that his team will be focused and purposeful in the match.
“We have to win this game tomorrow. I have to put my mind into tomorrow’s game; we must win and nothing more,” Chelle said. “We want to go to the World Cup. I am very happy, very excited. Sometimes, we may be a little nervous.”
Despite travel challenges that delayed the team’s arrival in Uyo, Chelle said the players were in high spirits and ready for victory. Nigeria currently sits third in Group C with 14 points, behind Benin Republic with 17 points and South Africa with 15 points.
Team captain William Troost-Ekong echoed Chelle’s sentiments, saying that the players are motivated to deliver a convincing win and make a name for themselves. “There are players here who want to make names for themselves, and those who will want their names to go down well in history,” Ekong said. “So, they are fully prepared and will play to win.”
However, Ekong acknowledged that the outcome of the match may not be entirely in Nigeria’s hands. “Tomorrow, it may not be 100 per cent on our hands, but we try to do our best and win the match,” he said.
Meanwhile, Benin Republic’s coach, Gernot Rohr, expressed confidence that his team would secure victory and qualify for the World Cup. Rohr said his players were in high spirits and in a good position to win, and he is optimistic about their chances of making history.
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