FIFA Hands Nigeria Confidence Boost Ahead of Decisive World Cup Qualifier vs Benin
- FIFA has appointed Egyptian referee Amin Omar to officiate Nigeria's 2026 World Cup qualifier vs Benin in Uyo
- Omar has previously handled this fixture, when Nigeria beat Benin 3-0 in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers
- The Super Eagles face a must-win final tie against the Cheetahs on October 14, 2025, to secure their World Cup ticket
FIFA has confirmed the appointment of Egyptian referee Amin Mohamed Omar for Nigeria’s decisive 2026 World Cup qualifier against the Benin Republic.
The crucial match, a game the Super Eagles cannot afford to drop points in, is set for October 14, 2025, at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo.
Source: Getty Images
According to the Daily Post, Omar will be joined by fellow Egyptians Mahmoud Abouelregal and Ali Ahmed Tawfik as assistant referees.
At the same time, Ahmed Moustafa Elbana Mahmoud Zakaria will serve as the fourth official, and Ghana’s Prosper Addo is the Match Commissioner.
For Nigeria, the appointment of Omar comes as a good omen in the World Cup race, as the Egyptian has already officiated a Nigeria-Benin meeting during the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers in September 2024, where the Super Eagles defeated the Cheetahs 3-0, according to Yahoo Sports.
On that day, Ademola Lookman scored twice, with Victor Osimhen adding a third.
Nigeria's World Cup qualifier group wide open
The stakes could not be higher for Nigeria in a tight Group C, with two matches remaining in the qualifying campaign.
Benin currently leads with 14 points from eight games, a position strengthened after FIFA decided to dock South Africa three points for fielding an ineligible player in their earlier game against Lesotho.
According to FIFA's official website, Bafana Bafana is in second place with 14 points, based on goal difference.
Nigeria sits third with 11 points and must win its remaining matches to have any chance of topping the group. Anything less than maximum points will ruin any chance of competing in the 2026 World Cup.
The clash in Uyo against Benin is particularly critical for the Super Eagles, because a victory would bring Nigeria level with the Cheetahs and set up a nail-biting finish.
A defeat, however, could see Benin take a commanding step toward qualifying for their first-ever FIFA World Cup. South Africa can also not be counted out after a strong performance so far.
Source: Getty Images
WCQ referee appointment boosts Nigeria's confidence
While officiating appointments rarely dominate headlines, Omar’s selection has drawn attention because of history.
Nigeria’s comfortable win over Benin under his watch in 2024 has given supporters a sense of optimism heading into October’s final match in Uyo.
The Super Eagles, however, cannot afford to rely on memories as recent performances in the qualifiers have been inconsistent, with missed opportunities costing valuable points.
Head coach Eric Chelle will need his attacking stars, Osimhen, Lookman, and others, to be clinical against a Benin side that has shown resilience under former Super Eagles coach, Gernot Rohr.
With the referee team now confirmed and the group standings delicately balanced, all eyes turn to Uyo.
For Nigeria, the equation is simple: win or risk watching their World Cup dreams slip away.
Gernot Rohr fires warning to Nigeria
Earlier, Legit.ng reported that Benin’s coach, Gernot Rohr, welcomed FIFA's ruling against South Africa but acknowledged the road to qualify for the 2026 World Cup is still difficult for his squad.
With just two matches left in the African qualifiers, the road to 2026 now runs through Uyo, where Rohr's side and the Super Eagles will lock horns in a clash that defines their campaigns.
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Proofreading by Bruce Douglas, copy editor at Legit.ng.
Source: Legit.ng
