Benin vs Nigeria: 3 Players Who Should Lead Super Eagles Line Up Against Gernot Rohr’s Side

• Nigeria will face the Benin Republic in their next FIFA World Cup qualifiers at the Felix Houphouet-Boigny Stadium in Ivory Coast
• The three-time Africa Cup of Nations champions are still without a win since the start of the World Cup qualifying series last year
• Sports Brief takes a look at three Super Eagles players who deserve to be in Finidi George's line-up against Gernot Rohr's men

The Super Eagles are still searching for their first win in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, with their next game being against the Benin Republic on Monday, June 10.

The three-time African champions drew their first three games in the qualifying series 1-1 and hope to beat the Cheetahs in Ivory Coast later today.

Denmark's World Cup squad: Which players will be booting up for the Danish Dynamites in Qatar?

Football

Former Super Eagles coach Gernot Rohr will lead the Benin Republic against Finidi George's men at the Felix Houphouet-Boigny Stadium. A loss or a draw for Nigeria could be detrimental to their quest to qualify for the World Cup in 2026.

Nigeria's last game against South Africa showed why some players are essential to the Super Eagles' task of returning to the world's top football competition after missing out on the last edition in Qatar.

Ahead of the clash against Benin, Sports Brief lists three Super Eagles players who should lead Nigeria's line-up against the Cheetahs.

Nigerian players who should start against Benin

1. Alex Iwobi

The former Arsenal star produced a Man of the Match performance against Bafana Bafana at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo on Friday, June 7.

The Fulham midfielder was Nigeria's only creative outlet in the game and assisted the Super Eagles' only goal, which was scored by Fisayo Ayodele-Bashiru in the second half.

Victor Osimhen Ruled Out of Nigeria’s World Cup Qualifiers Against South Africa, Replaced With NPFL Star

Football

Iwobi is playing with so much freedom under Finidi George compared to how Jose Peseiro used him at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.

The 28-year-old should be the first name on the Super Eagles team list against Rohr's Benin Republic.

2. Victor Boniface

Nigeria's first-half tactics against Bafana Bafana didn't work out well, as crosses to Paul Onauchu were efficiently dealt with by South Africa's defenders and their goalkeeper, Ronwen Williams.

Rohr's team might also quickly figure out if the same approach against Benin. Finidi needs someone like Boniface in his line-up who can offer more than just waiting in the box for balls to come.

Aside from getting the goals, the Bayer Leverkusen star is known for his playmaking technique.

3. Ademola Lookman

The Atalanta winger looks like the only threat in attack for the Super Eagles against South Africa, but Khuliso Mudau did a great job limiting the effect of his threat to some extent.

Victor Osimhen: Super Eagles Stars Who Should Lead Attack Against Bafana Bafana in Napoli Striker’s Absence

Football

The former Leicester City forward still deserves a place in the starting line-up against Benin, with Moses Simon not available. He would be compatible with Boniface upfront.

Finidi George's message to Rohr

Sports Brief previously reported on Finidi George sending a warning to Rohr after their draw against South Africa.

The 1994 AFCON winner told the former Nigeria national team coach he should fear the Super Eagles because they will take risks to win.