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It is laudable that the Super Eagles 4-0 defeat of the Squirrels of Benin Republic revived Nigeria’s hope of qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup to be hosted by United States, Mexico and Canada. Although Nigeria missed automatic qualification to World Cup, it is commendable that the Uyo victory propelled the Super Eagles to the top four continental playoffs holding in Morocco next month. This is why the playoffs should be taken seriously. South Africa won the group one point ahead of the Nigerian team, despite having three points deducted from it following the disciplinary action meted by FIFA against wrongly fielding Teboho Mokoena in the match against Lesotho while serving a match ban, having accumulated two yellow cards before then.
The continental playoffs would have been avoided if the Super Eagles had emerged the winner of its group, which most football fans had expected when the World Cup qualifying draws were made by CAF. Except Cameroon and the Super Eagles, all the traditional football powerhouses in Africa, like Senegal, Egypt, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Morocco, Tunisia, and Algeria qualified for the FIFA World Cup as group winners. Cape Verde was the only surprise team that made it to the Mundial. Therefore, the Super Eagles must judiciously use the second chance to qualify for the World Cup, having missed the last edition. A second omission of the World Cup by the team will not be tolerated by Nigerian soccer fans. The Nigerian team has talented players to enable Nigeria qualify for the World Cup. The Super Eagles must do everything humanly possible to be at the Mundial. The NFF and the coaching crew must work hard to ensure the team succeeds in this onerous campaign. They should regard it as a task that must be done.
It is not exciting that Nigeria will struggle to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup considering that it was the highest ranked team in the group that featured South Africa, Benin, Rwanda, Lesotho, and Zimbabwe. Yet the Super Eagles drew five of their ten matches, won only four and lost one. The many draws recorded by the team accounted for why its point rally was lower than South Africa. Drawing with lowly ranked teams in the group was a big letdown for a team that paraded two of the best African forwards and winners of CAF Player of the Tournament in the last two years.
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No doubt, the managerial crisis that rocked the Super Eagles during the World Cup qualifying campaign contributed to the unusual slump in form. The team used three coaches to prosecute the matches. This must be avoided going forward. The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) was unable to renew the contract of the Portuguese manager, Jose Peseiro, who led the team to the final of the 2023 African Cup of Nations (AFCON). He left after playing two matches in the World Cup qualifying campaign. Former Super Eagles star, Finidi George, who took over from him, did not fare better as he recorded the team’s only loss during the campaign. The Malian tactician, Eric Chelle, who took over from George should be commended for turning the fortunes of the team around within a short time. He is the reason that Nigeria made it to the playoffs by securing vital wins.
We urge the Super Eagles to prosecute the forthcoming playoffs with the great zeal it exhibited against the Squirrels of Benin Republic. The Super Eagles must defeat the Panthers of Gabon. It is doable. There should be no margin for error. There should be no tactical blunders. Our goal to be at the 2026 World Cup must be pursued with tenacity of purpose and the much-needed aggression and perseverance. Team cohesion is of great essence in the continental playoffs. Winning the continental playoffs will psychologically prepare the team for the inter-continental playoffs with representatives from South America, Asia and Oceania. We must triumph.
The federal government must give the Super Eagles and the coaching crew the needed motivation and support to adequately prosecute the continental playoffs. All the players must approach the remaining games with seriousness and professionalism. They must exhibit great commitment and patriotism and ensure that they win all their games in the forthcoming CAF playoffs. We urge the Nigerian fans to give the Super Eagles maximum support as they move to Morocco for the continental playoffs. This opportunity to represent Nigeria at the 2026 World Cup should not be bungled. We call on the Super Eagles to salvage Nigeria’s pride as a major football nation by qualifying for the World Cup.
