Super Eagles v Cheetahs: Match preview, what to expect, key players, kickoff time 

Fresh off the back of a disappointing 1-1 draw with South Africa, the Super Eagles will trade tackles with Benin on matchday four of 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers on Monday evening.

The 2013 AFCON champions are still yet to record a victory since the start of the qualification campaign and have to secure the maximum points in this fixture to prevent further reduction of their chances of qualification.

Since losing to South Africa on matchday one, Benin have dropped just two points, playing a barren draw with Lesotho last November and beating Rwanda by a solitary goal in the last matchday in their last two games.

Match preview

The Super Eagles are unbeaten in their fourteen previous encounters against their West African counterparts, winning 12 and drawing two of the remaining games.

Nigeria have won two, drawn one and lost two of their last five games, while the Squirrels have picked up just one win in their last five games which was the victory against Rwanda last Thursday.

Led by former Super Eagles coach Gernot Rohr, the host head into the game with a better morale and lesser pressure than Finidi George's side who can't afford to drop another point with their chances of qualifying slipping away.

What to expect.

Nigeria could ring some changes to the team that started against South Africa on Friday, most possibly in the two fullback positions and in attack where they struggled.

Regardless of the possible alterations, the Super Eagles will have the Lion's share of the possession and will have the onus to break down the home side.

Benin have conceded just twice during this qualification campaign and will be a tough nut to crack with their defensive shape.

The Squirrels are expected to rely on transitions when they get the ball from their possible low block to mount counter attacks where the Super Eagles look vulnerable against Bafana Bafana.

Overall, this could be a cagey affair from two sides who will be determined to get a result from the game.

Key players

1.Ademola Lookman(Nigeria): He was far from his brilliant best against South Africa but the three-time African champions will have to hope that he is at his best.

The Atalanta forward is yet to score in this qualification campaign and will be seeking to end that in this clash.

2. Alex Iwobi (Nigeria): He was the Super Eagles best player in the last game, carving the South African defence open with his brilliant passes and also combined well with his teammates.

The Hale End Academy product will have to be at his best to boost the chances of the away side picking the maximum points.

3. Steve Mounié (Benin): The Brest forward must be relishing the opportunity to face a Nigerian defence that looked vulnerable against the Bafana Bafana.

He is the Squirrels' most dangerous attacking player and has scored 16 goals for them.

4. Cédric Hountondji (Benin): The 30-year-old defender will be up against his biggest test just yet in this qualification campaign and will have a crucial role to play if Benin are to get a positive result.

Venue and kickoff time 

The game will take place at the Stade Félix Houphouët-Boigny, Abidjan, Ivory Coast and the first blast of the whistle will be at 1700 Nigerian time

Abdulkareem Abdulhamid

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