Benin Republic midfielder, Junior Olaitan, has expressed deep disappointment following his team’s crushing 4-0 loss to the Super Eagles of Nigeria in their final group match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers. The match, played at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo on Tuesday night, ended Benin’s hopes of securing their first-ever World Cup qualification.

Speaking after the game, Olaitan said the team felt they had let down their country and fans who had high hopes for their qualification dream.

“We have disappointed the people of our dear country, but we will never disappoint them forever. Things will get better,” the Goztepe midfielder said.

The Cheetahs struggled to keep up with Nigeria’s pace and attacking threat throughout the encounter, conceding early goals that set the tone for a one-sided contest. Despite their spirited effort, Benin Republic could not find a breakthrough and were ultimately outclassed by a determined Super Eagles side.

The defeat officially ended Benin Republic’s 2026 World Cup campaign, leaving the players and coaching staff reflecting on what went wrong. The team, however, remains optimistic about bouncing back ahead of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) scheduled for December.

Olaitan assured fans that the team would regroup, learn from their mistakes, and return stronger for future competitions.

“We will come back better. This is football; sometimes you lose, but the most important thing is to keep fighting,” he added.