WCQ: Heartbreak for Finidi George and Super Eagles - Delight for Ghana's Black Stars

Finidi George's tenure as Super Eagles boss has got off to a nightmare start, with Nigeria's 2026 World Cup qualification hopes hanging by a thread after dropping more points in a shock 2-1 defeat to Benin Republic.

The Super Eagles took the lead through Raphael Onyedika's wonder strike in Cote d'Ivoire but were undone by a second-half fightback from the Cheetahs led by former Nigeria manager Gernot Rohr.

It continues a miserable run in the WCQ for Finidi, who has failed to win any of his first two competitive games after Nigeria’s 1-1 draw with South Africa in Uyo days earlier.

Nigeria languish in fifth place in Group C with just three points from a possible 12, already four points adrift of joint-leaders Rwanda and South Africa.

The Super Eagles had already failed to get the job done last year under former boss Jose Peseiro, who was held to draws by Lesotho and Zimbabwe respectively. 

This latest setback has led to many questioning Finidi’s ability to lead the Super Eagles going forward and the former Enyimba man has not covered himself in glory.

While their West African rivals stumble, Ghana's Black Stars are soaring, registering back-to-back victories over Mali and the Central African Republic to boost their qualification hopes.

The buoyant Ghanaian fans have been quick to revel in Nigeria's misery, taking to social media in their droves to mock the struggling Super Eagles.

With Ghana destined for successive World Cup appearances, Finidi George is already feeling the heat as Nigeria's dire start leaves their 2026 dream hanging in the balance after just four matches.