Nigeria’s Super Eagles find themselves in a precarious position in their quest for a 2026 World Cup berth. After four matches in the qualifiers, they have yet to taste victory, accumulating only three points from draws against Lesotho, Zimbabwe, and South Africa, and suffering a disheartening defeat to Benin Republic. This leaves them trailing group leaders South Africa, Rwanda, and Benin by four points, a considerable gap to bridge with only the top team guaranteed automatic qualification. The Eagles are currently perched precariously second from bottom in the six-team group, a position that belies their historical stature as three-time African champions.
This underwhelming start has prompted the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to take decisive action, appointing Franco-Malian coach Eric Chelle to steer the team back on course. Chelle, who guided Mali to the quarter-finals of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, inherits a squad reeling from injuries to key players like William Troost-Ekong, Semi Ajayi, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, and Raphael Onyedika, leaving their availability for the upcoming crucial qualifiers in doubt. However, the silver lining is the wealth of attacking talent at Chelle’s disposal, including the in-form Victor Osimhen and Victor Boniface, alongside the reigning African Footballer of the Year, Ademola Lookman.
Despite the Super Eagles’ struggles, South Africa’s head coach Hugo Broos remains confident in their ability to resurrect their campaign. Broos expressed surprise at Nigeria’s current position, citing the abundance of quality within their ranks. He anticipates a resurgence from the Super Eagles in the next round of qualifiers in March, acknowledging that all teams in the group still harbor realistic hopes of securing a World Cup spot. This sentiment underscores the competitive nature of the group and the potential for dramatic shifts in the standings as the qualifiers progress.
Nigeria’s path to redemption begins with must-win encounters against Rwanda and Zimbabwe in March. Victories in these matches are crucial not only to close the gap on the leading pack but also to restore confidence and momentum within the squad. Meanwhile, South Africa will face Lesotho and Benin Republic in their March fixtures, aiming to consolidate their position at the top of the group. The Super Eagles will be hoping for slip-ups from their rivals while simultaneously striving for their own victories, a combination that could dramatically alter the complexion of the group.
The upcoming qualifiers represent a critical juncture for Nigeria’s World Cup aspirations. The pressure is on Chelle to galvanize his squad, integrate his tactical approach, and extract the maximum potential from his attacking arsenal. The absence of key defensive figures due to injury further complicates matters, requiring a reshuffle at the back and a reliance on the remaining players to step up and deliver solid performances. The weight of expectation from a nation accustomed to seeing their team grace the World Cup stage adds another layer of complexity to the challenge facing the Super Eagles.
The story of this qualifying group is far from written. While Nigeria’s current position is concerning, the quality within their squad, coupled with the unpredictable nature of football, leaves room for a dramatic turnaround. The next round of fixtures in March will be pivotal in determining the direction of the group and whether the Super Eagles can reignite their World Cup dream. Their success hinges on a combination of factors: victories in their own matches, favorable results elsewhere, and the ability of the new coach to instill a winning mentality and effectively utilize the available talent. The coming weeks will be a crucial test of character and resilience for the Super Eagles.
