“I am still optimistic” – Former Super Eagles goalkeeper confident in Nigeria’s chances of securing a spot at the next FIFA World Cup

Former Super Eagles and Kayserispor goalkeeper, Alloysius Uzoma Agu, believes the Nigerian football team have what it takes to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Soccernet.ng reports.

Agu was a part of the Super Eagles team that won the 1994 AFCON tournament in Tunisia, albeit as a second-choice goalkeeper, with Peter Rufai playing most of the games.

Post-retirement, the 56-year-old began working with the Super Eagles as a goalkeeper coach, starting with the Gernot Rohr era.

Nigeria are yet to win a game in their World Cup qualifying group, drawing three times and losing to Benin Republic, making their chances of qualifying harder. Despite the tough group, Agu believes the Super Eagles will qualify.

“Yes, I agree that the last two results against South Africa and Benin were a big blow to Nigeria’s World Cup ambitions, but then, it will be wrong to write off the Super Eagles at this stage. I am still optimistic that the team will pick the ticket for the World Cup. It may be a tough challenge, but Nigeria knows how to rise to the occasion when the chips are down. It is not over yet because the Nigerian spirit will be invoked and the impossible in the eyes of many will be achieved,” the former Club de Liege goalkeeper said in an interview with Complete Sports.

The Super Eagles will have to win their remaining qualifying games in order to stand a chance to participate in the 2026 FIFA World Cup.