“I was sad” – Osimhen points out mistakes Eric Chelle must correct ahead of Rwanda, Zimbabwe games

Victor Osimhen has urged the Super Eagles to rectify their past mistakes as they prepare for crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Rwanda and Zimbabwe, Soccernet.ng reports.

The Galatasaray striker, who missed Nigeria’s previous qualification matches due to injury, is convinced that under new head coach Eric Chelle, the team has the tactical expertise and talent required to reach the global showpiece.

Nigeria last qualified for the World Cup in 2018 but failed to make the 2022 tournament after losing to Ghana on away goals in the final playoff round.

That disappointment meant that stars like Osimhen and Ademola Lookman—both recent winners of the African Player of the Year award—are yet to feature on football’s biggest stage.

pic.twitter.com/3XWOFKIUqi

— Victor Osimhen (@victorosimhen9) March 11, 2025

The current qualification campaign has been far from promising.

The Super Eagles have failed to win any of their opening four matches, drawing 1-1 with Lesotho, Zimbabwe, and South Africa before suffering a 2-1 defeat to Benin Republic last June. These results have put Nigeria’s World Cup hopes in jeopardy, raising concerns among fans and players alike.

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What has Victor Osimhen said?

Osimhen, who has 23 goals in 39 senior appearances for Nigeria, believes the team must take responsibility and show greater commitment if they are to turn things around.

“There's a new manager now and we are desperately looking forward to the game against Rwanda to try to correct all the previous mistakes we've made and put ourselves in a better position to qualify,” Osimhen told BBC Africa.

“People say we have a talented generation, but we can only confirm this talent when we play in a World Cup like those before us.

“I was sad, like my teammates, to miss out on Qatar, and our fans didn't even understand how much it affected us.

“This is why we must correct the previous mistakes by giving everything to our country, our new coach, and prove ourselves as being worthy.”

The 25-year-old striker also expressed confidence in Chelle’s leadership and emphasized the need for players to take responsibility.

“I've spoken to him (Chelle) a couple of times and clearly understand the objectives he has set for himself and for the players,” he added.

“It takes more than a coach to win football matches. Players must also be at their best, show commitment, and bear in mind that we can all fly together to reach our goal.”

Chelle, appointed in January, made history as the first non-Nigerian African to manage the Super Eagles.

His squad selection for the upcoming matches has been carefully structured to end Nigeria’s winless streak and restore hope in the qualification campaign.

Let’s shower Green Hearts on our “ ηεω εαgℓεs“ pic.twitter.com/9Krj7WJ8r0

— Super Eagles (@NGSuperEagles) March 12, 2025

Nigeria’s preparations will begin in Kigali on Sunday, March 16, before facing Rwanda at the Amahoro Stadium on March 21. The team will then return home to Uyo for a must-win clash against Zimbabwe at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium on March 25.

With Osimhen back in the squad and Chelle looking to stamp his authority, the upcoming fixtures could prove decisive in shaping Nigeria’s World Cup destiny.