'Morale is going to be very high' - Finidi admits Cheetahs are buoyed by their win over Rwanda 

Finidi George has acknowledged that Benin's Cheetahs head into their 2026 World Cup qualifying fixture against the Super Eagles in confident mood, buoyed by their first win in Group C against Rwanda. 

After three matchdays, Gernot Rohr's side are on four points, along with South Africa's Bafana Bafana and Rwanda's  Amavubi.

The Super Eagles find themselves in a precarious position after three consecutive 1-1 draws, leaving little to no margin for error in tomorrow's clash against Benin.

Nigeria's players and officials arrived in Abidjan on the eve of their meeting with Benin and familiarized themselves with the Stade Félix Houphouët-Boigny following the pre-match press conference attended by Finidi and Wilfred Ndidi.

When asked if he considers the Cheetahs as a very tough team, Finidi replied: "They just won their last match and the morale is going to be very high in their team and there's no other day for us to travel. We have to travel today, be in Abidjan, so we can do our training. 

"We know tomorrow is the match and we'll see how we have to play. They won their last match so the spirit will be high."

Finidi praised Benin, a border country with Nigeria, for their hospitality, after the team touched down in Abidjan. 

"The hospitality when we arrived was fantastic, no problems and we passed through the immigration with ease. 

"It was a good thing, got to the hotel and we rested a bit, we have our session this evening."

Kelechi Iheanacho, Samuel Chukwueze, Wilfred Ndidi, Maduka Okoye, Semi Ajayi, Chidozie Awaziem, and Paul Onuachu, all part of the Super Eagles traveling squad to Abidjan, were included in the matchday squad the last time Nigeria defeated Benin in a competitive away game. 

Ifeanyi Emmanuel 

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