We can still qualify for the World Cup despite South Africa draw – Super Eagles coach Eric Chelle

The coach of the Super Eagles of Nigeria, Eric Chelle, believe his team still have a shot at qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup despite their disappointing 1-1 draw against South Africa on Tuesday, Soccernet.ng reports.

The Super Eagles of Nigeria stumbled for the umpteenth time in the 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers after grinding out a 1-1 draw against the Bafana Bafana in South Africa.

Nigeria needed a win at least against South Africa at the Freeway Toyota Stadium on Tuesday to stay close to group leaders South Africa.

However, they only managed a point. After Super Eagles captain William Troost-Ekong scored an own goal in the 25th minute, Calvin Bassey scored the equalizer just before the stroke of halftime. However, despite a lively second half, both teams failed to find a winner.

Following that result, South Africa maintained their six-point gap ahead of Nigeria who are in third place.

However, Benin, who spanked Lesotho 4-0, maintained their number two position and moved three points closer to the Bafana Bafana.

Following their results against South Africa, Nigeria's chances of qualifying have now grown slimmer, borderline impossible.

Chelle's men have to win their remaining two games and hope that South Africa lose their final two games against Lesotho and Zimbabwe, while Benin must lose one of their last two games.

FIFA 2026 WCQ: Ranking of second-placed teams – Can the Super Eagles survive the race? #2026WCQ pic.twitter.com/EyJRPrGL76

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This is is quite unlikely, and Chelle understands that it is a difficult situation. But he believes anything can still happen.

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“We are professional, so it's still two games and for sure these players want to win these two games, but at this moment is difficult for us because we wanted to win [against Bafana], and I think we did everything [to try and win],” Chelle said, SABC.

“So in the two last games, a lot of things can happen in one month, and for sure a lot of things about the points, about the team, about everything, so we just need to analyse this game again and after that we'll see in the last two games.”

Despite Eric Chelle's positivity, World Cup qualification for the Super Eagles doesn't seem feasible. Nigeria will just have to wait until 2030 before they play World Cup football again.