Former Nigeria international Segun Odegbami believes the Super Eagles would have been one of the strongest teams at the 2026 FIFA World Cup if they had qualified under head coach Eric Chelle, Soccernet.ng reports.
Nigeria failed to reach the expanded 48-team tournament after a disappointing qualifying campaign. The Super Eagles lost the automatic qualification ticket to South Africa and also missed out on a playoff place to DR Congo, ending their hopes of appearing on football's biggest stage.
The disappointment has become even harder for Nigerian fans to accept as both South Africa and DR Congo have performed well enough to remain in contention for the knockout rounds. A few Nigerian records have also been overtaken.
South Africa reached the Round of 32 after finishing second in Group A behind co-host Mexico. Bafana Bafana lost to Mexico, drew with the Czech Republic and then secured a crucial victory over South Korea to finish with four points from three matches.
DR Congo also remain in the race for qualification. The Leopards earned a 1-1 draw against Portugal before suffering a narrow defeat to Colombia. They can still book a place in the knockout stage if they beat Uzbekistan in their final group match.
Across the tournament, African teams have enjoyed unprecedented success. Seven of Africa's ten representatives have already secured places in the Round of 32. Morocco, Egypt, Ghana, Senegal, Côte d'Ivoire, Cabo Verde and South Africa have all advanced, while Algeria and DR Congo remain in contention.
The performances of several African nations have led many observers to wonder how far a Nigerian team containing stars such as Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman and Calvin Bassey could have gone.
That is exactly the question Odegbami has been asking while watching the tournament unfold.
“I am missing Nigeria at the ongoing World Cup,” Odegbami wrote in his column published by Vanguard.
He added: “If Nigeria had managed, somehow, to qualify and to be participating, the Super Eagles, under Eric Chelle, and with the increasing number of gifted Nigerian players caught in Eric's scouting web around Europe these past few months, would have been one of the teams to beat in this World Cup.”
Odegbami excited by Chelle's emerging Super Eagles
Despite the frustration of missing the tournament, Odegbami believes the future of the national team is bright because of the work Chelle has done since taking charge.
Over the last few months, the Malian coach has expanded Nigeria's player pool by introducing several new faces into the national-team environment. Players such as Tochukwu Nnadi, Arthur Okonkwo, Femi Azeez and Abdullahi Bewene have all been given opportunities to impress.
The coach's scouting efforts across Europe have uncovered fresh talent capable of strengthening the Super Eagles in the coming years. Several of these players have already shown enough quality to convince supporters and former internationals that they can contribute at the highest level.
The rebuilding process underway is one of the most encouraging developments in Nigerian football despite the World Cup disappointment, says Odegbami.
“I am truly excited about the emerging new Eagles after the World Cup,” he wrote.
“Their prospects in Africa and in the world in the next decade are very high and promise great excitement and success.”
While Nigeria missed the chance to compete at the 2026 World Cup, the foundation being laid by Chelle could help the Super Eagles become a major force on the continent and beyond.
With established stars like Osimhen, Lookman and Bassey already leading the squad, and a new generation of talent continuing to emerge, Odegbami believes Nigeria could soon have a team capable of challenging the best nations in world football.
