Eric Chelle, the head coach of the Super Eagles, is certain that the squad has a chance to qualify for the FIFA World Cup in 2026.
The 47-year-old has laid out how the Super Eagles can still qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup despite their slow start in the qualifiers.
Nigeria had lost all four of their qualification games before Chelle’s appointment. But in Kigali, he raised spirits by leading the squad to a 2-0 victory over Rwanda’s Amavubi.
Nigeria now trails group leaders South Africa by six points after a draw with Zimbabwe’s Brave Warriors, making their task more challenging. Bafana Bafana is leading the race to earn a spot in the World Cup for the first time since 2010.
The Super Eagles have four games left, so they need to win every one of them and pray their opponents lose. The match against the South Africans is a pivotal moment in their campaign, according to Chelle.
“It’s an obligation to win in South Africa, but the most important match for us right now is Rwanda in Uyo,” Chelle said
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“South Africa are a good side, but for that game, we cannot afford to let them play. First, we have to beat Rwanda at home, then we will focus on South Africa.”
Before travelling to South Africa on September 7, Nigeria will host Rwanda at Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, on September 3.
To maintain their hopes of winning the World Cup, the Super Eagles will have to perform at their highest level.
Before September, the Nigeria Football Federation has scheduled a number of practice games, including a June friendly match against FIFA-banned Russia.
According to reports, West African rivals Ghana, Trinidad & Tobago, and Jamaica will join the Super Eagles in a four-nation competition called “The Unity Cup” in June.
The football federation is anticipated to reveal the June international break games in the next few days, but they have not yet confirmed any of these matches.
