Nigeria Super Eagles stars Victor Osimhen Ademola Lookman and Ola Aina. [Photo credit/Imago]
Former Nigeria international Godwin Okpara has urged the Super Eagles to do everything in their power to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Soccernet.ng reports.
Nigeria’s hopes of reaching the tournament are hanging by a thread after a disastrous start to the qualifiers.
Having missed out on the 2022 edition in Qatar, the Super Eagles have struggled again, failing to win any of their opening four games.
They have drawn against Zimbabwe, Lesotho, and South Africa and suffered a damaging defeat to Benin Republic. With just three points from a possible 12, Nigeria sit fifth in Group C—four points behind South Africa, Rwanda, and Benin, and one behind Lesotho.
Only the group winners are guaranteed a place at the World Cup, meaning Nigeria may need to win all six of their remaining fixtures to have any chance of qualifying for the tournament, which will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
It is an alarming situation for a nation boasting one of Africa’s most talented squads.
Victor Osimhen (Galatasaray) and Victor Boniface (Bayer Leverkusen) are among the best strikers in the world. Stanley Nwabali (Chippa United) was one of Africa’s top goalkeepers at AFCON 2024.
Ademola Lookman (Atalanta) is the reigning African Footballer of the Year, while Ola Aina (Nottingham Forest) and Alex Iwobi (Fulham) have been standouts in the Premier League this season.
Of this golden generation, only Iwobi was part of Nigeria’s last World Cup squad in 2018.
Veterans William Troost-Ekong, Wilfred Ndidi, Kelechi Iheanacho, Francis Uzoho, and Leon Balogun also remain, but for many, 2026 represents a final chance to play on football’s biggest stage.
Former PSG midfielder Okpara believes missing out would be a huge blot on this team’s legacy.
“Every player’s dream is to play at the World Cup. If this team don’t qualify, it will be bad for their record,” Okpara told Brila.
Nigeria have made six World Cup appearances, debuting in 1994 as African champions. They have qualified for six of the last eight editions, only missing out in 2006 and 2022, and have reached the round of 16 three times.
The Nigeria Football Federation appointed Franco-Malian coach Eric Chelle in January to help turn around the fortunes of the Super Eagles.
The former Mali national team head coach will look to guide the Super Eagles to victories when the team face Rwanda and Zimbabwe in March.
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