Head coach of the Malian National team, Tom Saintfiet, has backed the Super Eagles of Nigeria to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup despite their poor start, Soccernet.ng reports.
Nigeria are without a win from their opening four group games in their World Cup qualifying group, securing just three points from a possible twelve.
Ahead of their must-win clash against Rwanda, Saintfiet, who took over after Eric Chelle vacated his role as Mali's head coach, has advocated for Nigeria's success in their qualification journey.
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“It will be sad if the strongest team in Africa doesn’t qualify. The Super Eagles are currently, not only now but for the last three or four years, the best team in Africa.
“It will be a big disappointment, a big shock, if Nigeria doesn’t qualify with this potential, with these quality players,” the 51-year-old said in an interview with AY Suga Naija Lifestyle.
“With all respect for the opponents, South Africa have a very good coach and a good team, but Nigeria have so much quality, so they have to do everything. They have to catch up on the points they lost. In that group, I think they will qualify,” the former Gambia coach concluded.
When will Nigeria play?
Nigeria will take on the Wasps of Rwanda on Friday, March 21st, at the Stade Amahoro in Kigali, before locking horns with the Warriors of Zimbabwe at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo on Tuesday, March 25th. Both games are slated for 5:00 PM WAT.
22 of Eric Chelle's selected 23 players have made it down to Kigali as they begin preparations for their game on Friday. Alhassan Yusuf is the only player yet to report.
