Africa’s soccer ruling body, CAF, has listed the four teams that will play in a play-off tentatively billed to take place in Morocco in November, (Nov 13–16, proposed dates) to determine who completes the 10-team Africa contingent to the World Cup.
With Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Egypt, Ghana, Cape Verde, South Africa, Ivory Coast and Senegal booking automatic spots after leading their respective groups, there is still room for a tenth team from the Africa contingent.
That team will emerge from a formidable play off group of four nations namely Nigeria, DR Congo, Cameroon and Gabon. These are the four best placed second position teams following the new CAF rule. Only one of them will take the 10th slot.
Africa has an opportunity to take a 10th nation to the Canada, Mexico and United States come next year but through a play off but who will that be?
CAF will use the October FIFA Rankings to determine the pairings:
🥇 Team 1 – Highest ranked
🥈 Team 2 – Second highest ranked
🥉 Team 3 – Third highest ranked
🏅 Team 4 – Lowest ranked
At home, Nigerians are optimistic that the Super Eagles will fly over the remaining three teams to pick the last ticket.
Super Eagles coach, Eric Chelle, during the post-match news conference, said that the players sacrificed their full energy to win the match.
The coach described the players as champions in today’s match, stressing that they were focused and purposeful throughout the duration of the game.
He, however, noted that the game was not yet over, until they win the play-off and get final qualification to the World Cup.
“I am surprised by my players. They deserved this game because it was not easy.
“So, now we are going to Morocco, it is not yet finished. It will be very difficult, but tonight, I am very happy for the players.
“They played a great game today and two days ago, like I said before, it is well, it is well, we are here.
“I am happy for the fact they brought us the victory which serves to help us push us to the next level.
“The players played a very good game, especially, the best striker in the world, Victor Osimhen,” Chelle said.
The Super Eagles Captain, Troost Ekong, said he was proud to be a member of the team.
According to him, everyone played their hearts to ensure victory in the qualifying match against Benin Republic.
He thanked Nigerians for their massive support throughout the qualifying series, stressing that the people loved good football.
The captain acknowledged that the game was not yet over, as the team still had a lot of work to do in the play-off.
