Nigeria, Oct. 15 -- In the immediate aftermath of Nigeria national football team's emphatic 4-0 demolition of Benin national football team, head coach Eric Chelle was a picture of pride and realism.

The victory, their most convincing performance in the qualifiers so far, came too late to snatch the group's automatic World Cup ticket after South Africa national football team secured top spot with a 3-0 win over Rwanda national football team.

Nigeria must now navigate the unforgiving playoff path to keep their dream of playing at the 2026 FIFA World Cup alive.

"I am so proud of my players. They deserve this game. Because it was not easy with the new coach, with the new philosophy, to react immediately faster. So now we go to Morocco," Ch...