The Super Eagles of Nigeria are on the cusp of a make-or-break moment in their quest for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, facing a critical qualifier against the Republic of Benin. This encounter, scheduled for Tuesday evening at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo, is a do-or-die fixture for Nigeria, who aim to avoid missing two consecutive FIFA World Cups, a streak that dates back to their debut in 1994.

Currently sitting third in Group C with 14 points, Nigeria's path to the Mundial is fraught with challenges. Benin surprisingly leads the group with 17 points, while South Africa occupies second place with 15 points. Rwanda also lurks in fourth. For Nigeria to qualify, the arithmetic is clear yet demanding: they must secure a victory against Benin by at least two goals and simultaneously hope that South Africa fails to defeat Rwanda in their respective fixture.

Head coach Eric Chelle faces immense pressure, needing to make several crucial decisions to inspire his team to victory. The Malian tactician, credited with bringing structure back to Nigeria's play, must navigate personnel dilemmas and tactical approaches against a Benin side coached by former Super Eagles boss Gernot Rohr, who is driven by the prospect of guiding Benin to their first-ever World Cup.

One of Chelle's primary concerns revolves around goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali. Despite being a revelation since last year's AFCON, Nwabali exhibited uncharacteristic errors against Lesotho, raising questions about his composure. While some fans expressed doubts, Chelle is expected to retain Nwabali in goal, banking on his elite shot-stopping ability and hoping for a more composed performance under pressure. The alternative, giving a debut to Amas Obasogie or Adebayo Adeleye in such a high-stakes match, is deemed too risky.

In defence, captain William Troost-Ekong's leadership and experience are invaluable, but his pace against Benin's quick forwards, particularly Steve Mounié, remains a concern. The partnership with Calvin Bassey in central defence is anticipated, with Benjamin Frederick and Bruno Onyemaechi at full-back. While Semi Ajayi offers a stronger, more physically imposing option, his recent return from injury makes starting him a significant gamble. Chelle's tactical solution might involve protecting Troost-Ekong with a deep-lying midfielder like Wilfred Ndidi or Frank Onyeka.

The search for Victor Osimhen's ideal strike partner is another critical decision. The pairing of Osimhen and Tolu Arokodare against Lesotho proved awkward due to similar profiles and movements. Akor Adams, who replaced Arokodare in that match, immediately demonstrated better synergy with Osimhen, scoring on his debut from an Osimhen assist. This clear compatibility points towards Adams being the preferred choice to spearhead the attack alongside Osimhen.

The suspension of Ademola Lookman, a key creative force on the left wing, necessitates a reshuffle. Moses Simon, a natural left-winger, is expected to return to his preferred flank. This opens up a slot on the right, with Samuel Chukwueze being an obvious contender if he is sharp enough, or potentially Terem Moffi or even Akor Adams could operate from wider positions depending on tactical needs. The emphasis will be on players willing to press, track back, and hustle against a resilient Benin side.

Tactically, Chelle must balance boldness with control. Nigeria cannot afford to sit back; early goals are imperative. However, Benin, under Rohr, are known for their pragmatic, counter-attacking style. A controlled aggressive press, maintaining possession while avoiding defensive over-exposure from full-back overlaps, will be crucial. A midfield duo comprising Wilfred Ndidi and Christantus Uche could provide the necessary balance of energy, creativity, and defensive bite, with Alex Iwobi playing slightly ahead in a linking role.

The predicted Super Eagles lineup against Benin is expected to be: Stanley Nwabali; Benjamin Frederick, William Troost-Ekong, Calvin Bassey, Bruno Onyemaechi; Wilfred Ndidi, Christantus Uche; Alex Iwobi; Moses Simon; Akor Adams, Victor Osimhen. Kickoff is set for 5:00 PM (WAT), with thousands of fans expected to rally behind the Super Eagles in what promises to be a tension-filled encounter that will define Eric Chelle's early legacy and Nigeria's World Cup dreams.