By Dayo Awoniyi
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has commended the Super Eagles of Nigeria following their emphatic 4–0 victory over the Cheetahs of Benin Republic, describing the result as a strong statement in the team’s bid to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
In a statement issued shortly after the match in Uyo, the President praised the players for their display of “hunger, passion, and determination,” saying the performance had reignited national pride and restored hope among Nigerian football supporters.
“While the job is not yet complete, I join millions of Nigerians in wishing our Super Eagles continued success as they advance toward qualification,” Tinubu said, adding that the mood across the country reflected a shared belief in Nigeria’s rightful place on the global stage.
The President reiterated his administration’s commitment to backing the team throughout their qualification campaign. He assured both the players and technical crew of the government’s full support, stressing that the nation remains confident in their ability to deliver.
“As your President, I assure you that Nigerians everywhere believe in you — and I do too,” Tinubu stated. “We look forward to seeing our flag fly proudly among the world’s best.”
The win against Benin Republic keeps Nigeria’s qualification hopes alive as they continue their campaign for a place at the 2026 World Cup, to be jointly hosted by Canada, Mexico, and the United States.
Samuel Ahmadu is a distinguished multimedia journalist and women's football expert with over 15 years of experience in the industry. On the back of domestic engagement since 2008, he began his international career journey at Goal.com in February 2014, where he served as an African women's football correspondent for nearly eight years. During his tenure at Goal.com, Samuel covered major events such as three Women's Africa Cup of Nations (2016, 2018, 2022) and the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup in Canada plus 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. His work at Goal.com earned him widespread acclaim, particularly for his in-depth profiles of African football stars, notably Asisat Oshoala, whose rise he documented from her early years to her breakthrough at the FIFA U20 Women's World Cup in 2014. Prior to his role at Goal.com, Samuel freelanced for various print and broadcast media outlets in Nigeria, including Graphics Newspaper, Radio Nigeria, Grace FM, and Savid Newspaper. His extensive experience and expertise led to his appointment to the Nigeria Football Federation's Standing Committee on Women's Football Development from 2016 to 2018. Since February 2018, Samuel has been the Social Media Manager for Nigeria's women's national teams.In 2019, Samuel joined the Confederation of African Football (CAF) as a women's football content contributor and was promoted to Women's Football Editor in 2021. His contributions to women's football continued as he worked as a Media Consultant for Content Creation and Editorials at the 2022 CAF Women's Champions League. Currently, Samuel also serves as the spokesman for the Nigeria Women Football League, further solidifying his influence and dedication to the growth of women's football in Africa.
