The Republic of Benin are 180 minutes away from making a debut appearance at the FIFA World Cup, Soccernet.ng reports.
Former Super Eagles coach, Gernot Rohr, has made the Cheetahs’ dream of possibly the biggest moment in the country’s football history, as they’ve accrued 14 points from eight World Cup qualifiers.
With South Africa’s points deduction confirmed, Benin are now top of Group C, and need wins against Rwanda and Nigeria to seal a spot in next year’s Mundial on North American soil.
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Benin and Saint Pauli forward, Andreas Hountondji, admitted there’s a bit of jittery with his nation on the cusp of making their first-ever entry into the World Stage.
Hountondji backs Benin
Although the odds aren’t in their favour, the Burnley loanee is hoping his side will make the best of the second chance they’ve been given.
“I honestly can’t wait. To be honest, I don’t know if it’s fully dawned on me yet how close we are to actually qualifying,” the 23-year-old said in an interview with FIFA.
“Playing for the national team is a really special adventure and one that’s so rewarding on a human level. This is our country, so it means so much to us.”
“Our next match, against Rwanda, is going to be pivotal. If we manage to pick up the three points, we’ll be very handily placed ahead of our final game, against Nigeria.
“Honestly, I have so much love for this group of boys that just finding ourselves in this position now, as the qualifiers are coming to an end, is amazing.
“I’m really looking forward to seeing just how pumped and hungry we’ll be. We’ve got the chance to create great excitement and some incredible memories.
“I think we’re capable of getting the job done – anything is possible,” the former Standard Liege man said.
“For any player starting out in the game, lining up at the World Cup is the ultimate dream,” the French-born attacker continued.
“One thing for sure is that when we come together as a squad and start to realise just how close we are to achieving it, it’s really going to put stars in our eyes.
“I hope that’ll give us the added motivation to get over the line. Benin have never made it before, and it’d be simply amazing.
“I saw the announcement, and I think we’d be mad not to see this as a real opportunity.
“We have two matches to go, and if we win them both, there’s a good chance we’ll qualify directly. Our destiny is in our own hands, so we have to believe in our chances,” Hountondji concluded.
The Super Eagles have their work cut out if they’re to defeat Gernot Rohr’s Benin Republic, as several of the first team members are currently out with injuries.