The Nigerian Football Federation (NFF), under the leadership of President Ibrahim Gusau, maintains a hopeful outlook on the Super Eagles’ chances of qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, despite a challenging start to their qualifying campaign. The team currently sits in fifth place in Group C, a precarious position resulting from three draws and a defeat in their first four matches. This subpar performance has understandably caused concern among administrators, fans, and football enthusiasts alike, yet Gusau remains optimistic about the possibility of a turnaround and securing a spot in the prestigious tournament.
Gusau’s optimism stems from the Super Eagles’ recent showing at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Ivory Coast, where they narrowly missed claiming the championship, falling short in the final minutes of the decisive match. The NFF president believes that if the team can recapture the form and spirit displayed during the AFCON tournament, they have a realistic chance of winning their remaining six qualifying matches, thus securing automatic qualification for the World Cup. This achievement, in turn, would set a positive tone and build momentum for a strong performance at the subsequent AFCON tournament scheduled to be held in Morocco later in 2025.
The Super Eagles’ journey through the World Cup qualifiers has been marked by inconsistency. While they began 2024 on a high note with their impressive second-place finish at the AFCON, their form dipped considerably in the subsequent qualifying matches. The team struggled to convert promising performances into victories, recording draws against Lesotho, Zimbabwe, and South Africa, before suffering a damaging defeat at the hands of Benin Republic. This series of setbacks has left Nigeria trailing the top three teams in Group C – Rwanda, South Africa, and Benin Republic – by four points, and facing an uphill battle to secure qualification.
The defeat against Benin Republic further exacerbated existing issues within the Super Eagles camp, leading to significant changes in the coaching staff. Finidi George’s tenure as coach came to an end, and Austin Eguavoen, the NFF Technical Director, stepped in as interim coach. The search for a permanent replacement is underway, with the expectation that a new coach will be appointed before the next round of qualifying matches in March 2025. These matches, against Rwanda in Kigali and Zimbabwe at home, will be crucial for Nigeria’s hopes of reviving their World Cup qualification campaign.
The NFF and its president understand the importance of these upcoming matches and are committed to providing the necessary support to the team. Recapturing the spirit and performance level witnessed at the AFCON tournament is seen as key to turning their fortunes around. The focus will be on reinforcing the team’s strengths, addressing their weaknesses, and fostering a winning mentality. The pressure is undoubtedly on the Super Eagles to deliver positive results, and their performance in these crucial matches will largely determine their World Cup aspirations.
The upcoming matches against Rwanda and Zimbabwe represent a critical juncture in Nigeria’s quest for World Cup qualification. The team needs to secure victories in both matches to regain lost ground and keep their qualification hopes alive. The pressure on the players and the interim coach will be immense, but the NFF remains confident that the Super Eagles can rise to the challenge and deliver the results needed to move closer to their ultimate goal of participating in the 2026 World Cup. The footballing world will be watching closely to see if Nigeria can turn their qualifying campaign around and secure a place among the world’s elite footballing nations.
