Bright Osayi-Samuel believes Nigeria’s hopes of qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup remain alive – and he’s convinced new boss Eric Chelle is the key to unlocking that dream, Soccernet.ng reports.
The Super Eagles currently find themselves in unfamiliar territory – fourth in their CAF Group C qualification campaign with just seven points after four matches, trailing group leaders South Africa by six.
But Osayi-Samuel, who became a free agent on July 1 following the expiration of his contract at Fenerbahçe, remains optimistic.
What did Bright Osayi-Samuel say?
Speaking at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City, the 26-year-old defender said the squad is beginning to take shape under Chelle’s leadership, pointing to the recent tactical improvements and the spirit within the camp.
“In terms of Super Eagles qualifiers, I believe we will qualify for the World Cup. The aim is just to win every single game,” Osayi-Samuel told journalists.
“Of course, it will be difficult, but for us and the team, I think we have a good chance. For me, the coach is fantastic. The way he wants us to press and run; I think everyone in the team has aligned with his ideas.”
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Appointed in January, Chelle’s selection raised eyebrows. The Malian tactician became the first non-Nigerian African coach to take charge of the Super Eagles – a historic but controversial decision by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF). Critics questioned his experience and his ability to command respect in one of Africa’s most demanding jobs.
Six months on, the tide is beginning to turn.
Chelle remains unbeaten in his first five games, including an impressive display at the 2025 Unity Cup in London, where Nigeria overcame long-standing rivals Ghana and outclassed Caribbean side Jamaica to lift the trophy.
Another bright spot was Nigeria’s composed performance against a resurgent Russian national team in a friendly – a side that hadn’t tasted defeat in their previous six or seven outings.
“In our last game against Russia, we contained a team that hadn’t lost in six or seven matches. If we keep working together, we have a good chance,” Osayi-Samuel added.
Still, the road to North America remains steep.
Nigeria’s qualification campaign began on a sour note, with three consecutive draws followed by a 2-1 loss to Benin. But Chelle managed to steady the ship with a morale-boosting 2-0 win over Rwanda, powered by a brace from star forward Victor Osimhen – Nigeria’s first World Cup qualifying victory since 2021.
Osimhen struck again in the next match against Zimbabwe, but a late equaliser from the group's bottom side left Chelle's men ruing what might have been.
Now, with four fixtures left, the Super Eagles must rally. First up is a home clash with Rwanda in September. A win there, followed by victory against leaders South Africa, could change everything. But if Nigeria stumble and South Africa win their next game against Lesotho, Chelle’s side will no longer be able to top the group.
In that case, Nigeria would need to target a second-place finish and hope to be among the four best runners-up across the nine CAF groups to earn a spot in the intercontinental playoffs.
There is still hope – but no more room for error.
