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FIFA World Cup 2026: How do Nigeria qualify for World Cup 2026?

OJ Laboye Leave a comment

The Super Eagles have secured their place in the hunt for the 2026 FIFA World Cup aka United 2026. Though the journey won’t be straightforward, the resilience and passion of the team have opened the door to what could be a redemptive moment for Nigeria’s football fans.

Nigeria’s qualification campaign has been filled with ups and downs. After failing to make it to Qatar 2022, expectations were high for redemption in 2026. The Super Eagles found themselves drawn in a competitive Group C, with South Africa, Benin, Rwanda, Lesotho, and Zimbabwe all in the mix. The Super Eagles drew several matches and struggled to find consistency, prompting concerns about whether this generation of players would miss another World Cup.

In January 2025, the Nigeria Football Federation made a bold move by appointing Eric Chelle as head coach in hopes of turning the campaign around. Under his stewardship, the Eagles began to show more fight and direction.

The turning point came in October 2025, when Nigeria faced Benin in Uyo. With everything on the line, the Super Eagles delivered. Victor Osimhen lit up the game with a hat‑trick, and Frank Onyeka sealed the result with a late strike in injury time. Nigeria won 4‑0. That emphatic result gave Nigeria a shot at continuing the journey — not via direct qualification, but through the playoff pathway for the best runners-up.

Meanwhile, South Africa also clinched their direct spot by beating Rwanda 3‑0. The standings in Group C ended with South Africa in first and Nigeria second, tied on points with Benin but ahead on goal difference.

What Comes Next for the Super Eagles After Qualifying for Continental Playoffs?

Securing second place means Nigeria now goes into the CAF playoff stage — facing other top second‑placed teams across Africa in a semifinal‑final knockout format. Winners from that stage will then proceed to intercontinental playoffs for a final shot at the World Cup.

It’s not a guaranteed route, but it is a path. The Super Eagles must maintain impetus, avoid complacency, and bring the same intensity in the knockout rounds. This could mean redemption for a disappointed nation, considering the fact that many fans felt this campaign was a chance to restore pride since Nigeria missed out on Qatar 2022.

However, the victory over Benin showed that when it matters most, Nigeria can rise to the challenge. Osimhen’s brilliance, the work of veterans and newcomers alike, and the tactical shift under Chelle all deserve recognition. Playoff formats leave little room for error — Nigeria’s ability to perform under pressure will define this journey.

Anyway, the Super Eagles have secured an opportunity where many feared there would be none. The journey continues, and the eyes of a nation are watching.

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BBNaija Season 10: Top Highlights, Twists, and What’s Making Us Talk about BBNaija ’10/10′

OJ Laboye Leave a comment

The tenth edition of Nigeria’s biggest reality TV show Big Brother Naija — which premiered on July 26/27, 2025 — launched with high expectations; BBNaija Season 10 (tagged ’10/10′) came with new twists, a larger prize, and a diverse cast.

Over 29 housemates reportedly entered the house on Day 1 and Day 2, with Big Brother Nigeria Season 1 alum Ebuka Obi-Uchendu returning as show host. The grand prize has been set at ₦150 million (including cash and sponsor gifts), which is the biggest top prize in BBNaija’s history.

Here are some of the standout developments so far:

Early Tensions & Kitchen Drama

Very early into the game, housemates clashed over food, control in the kitchen, and power. Kitchen fights, people getting upset over onions or who is cooking what, etc. A party night escalated quickly into heated arguments. Emotions ran high. Recently, there was drama surrounding kitchen spoons and cutlery that Imisi went to hide in someone’s travelling box, just because a lot of the housemates sided with Thelma when they had a clash. Meanwhile, Kola knew about it but decided to keep quiet; perhaps to show his loyalty to Imisi. This triggered Faith who proceeded to call their friendship ‘dumb’.

Also Read: BBNaija Season 10: Day 3 & Day 23 — Moments That Define the Game on BBNaija ’10/10′

HoH & Power Moves

The very first Head of House (HoH) competition was won by Jason Jae, who then picked Doris as his companion. This move has sparked interest around possible alliances. Later, Zita snatched the HoH crown from interim HoH Doris and others by Day 23. Her reign has been watched closely.

Romance, ‘Ships’ & Social Dynamics

Almost immediately, we saw a ‘ship’ start to form: Danboskid and Zita were caught sharing intimate moments, even under the duvet, less than 3‐4 days into the show. That sparked a big reaction on social media. Doris once confided in Sultana that Denari wants to meet her mom and has even promised her marriage. The romance between Isabella and Koyin is another brewing ‘ship’ that fans and viewers are watching with keen interest. Meanwhile, there are tensions around friendships, unreciprocated romantic interest, and how different housemates connect (or don’t). For instance, Faith and Joanna were once captured engaging in a flirtatious exchange on Day 40 but Joanna later became close to Jason Jae and, on the night of Live Show 9, when Ebuka questioned her about her relationship with Jason Jae, Thelma said “we’re just friends”.

Tasks, Twist & Evictions

Wager Tasks (weekly tasks) are part of the competition structure. Success or failure here affects weekly budgets and standing in the house. The ‘Tree of Trinkets’ twist came in one week: Zita had the power to save two housemates from eviction under this twist. She could not save her deputy Rooboy.

BBNaija ’10/10′ is currently airing on DStv (Channel 198), GOtv (Channel 49), and streaming on Showmax.

What’s been your favorite ‘ship’ so far? Who’s been the best HoH and who do you think will win HoH next?

Drop a comment or share this post if you’ve got theories or receipts you want to put on blast. Follow @planetakinade on Facebook, X and Instagram.