The absence of the Super Eagles from the 2026 FIFA World Cup has been lamented by former Nigeria and Watford defender Benedict Iroha, Soccernet.ng reports.
The retired left-back represented the Super Eagles at two World Cup tournaments (1994 and 1998), and won the AFCON 1994 tournament with Nigeria's golden generation.
Converted from being a midfielder to a defender by Coach Clemens Westerhof, Iroha has recalled memories from the 1994 World Cup hosted by the United States of America, claiming the current edition reminds him of how the atmosphere in America was 32 years ago.
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World Cup lacks ‘flavour' without Super Eagles – Ben Iroha
Speaking about his experience 32 years ago, the one-time MLS Cup winner recalled how Mexican and Brazilian fans flooded the streets to support Nigeria.
“That was in 1994, the year the Nigeria Super Eagles first participated in the FIFA World Cup finals,” the former Elche defender said in an interview with Complete Sports.
“I recall the atmosphere when the Mexicans and Black Americans flooded the stadium, waving the Nigerian green-white-green flag, rooting for us and making the atmosphere electrifying, as if we were playing in Lagos.
“I loved the atmosphere and the country so much that, after the World Cup, I told my wife, ‘Look, this is the place for us to live in.’
“I don’t even realise that 32 years have gone by since then, thanks to this 2026 World Cup, which has reminded me.”
Iroha revealed that the Nigerian football fans in Dallas already had an elaborate welcome party planned for the Super Eagles, but then the three-time African Champions failed to qualify.
With Nigeria away from the World Cup, the 35-cap Super Eagles defender claims the tournament lacks flavour for fans of the Green and Whites, offering very little incentives.
“There is, no doubt, a lack of that ‘flavour’ the Super Eagles always bring to the World Cup.
“Those of us Nigerians here in Dallas had planned an elaborate welcome and support base for the Super Eagles during the World Cup but, unfortunately, Nigeria didn’t qualify.
“You know, I’ve not seen any of my Super Eagles teammates from the 1994 World Cup who are living here in the USA. If there are any, I’m yet to know.
“I had thought Austin Jay-Jay Okocha would be here during this World Cup, but I’m yet to see or hear from him.
Nigeria were defeated by DR Congo in the play-offs for the World Cup, but Iroha maintains that a play-off wouldn't have been needed if Eric Chelle had been appointed earlier.
“It’s painful, very difficult to take, but that’s football for you.
“I think we didn’t show enough seriousness from the start of the qualifiers.
“Looking at the performance of the team under Coach Chelle, maybe the team would have been at the World Cup if he had been engaged earlier,” the 56-year-old concluded.
With the Copa Mundial out of contention. The Super Eagles can look forward to the AFCON 2027 qualifiers set to kick off in September.
They've been drawn into Group L alongside Guinea-Bissau, Madagascar and Tanzania.
