As Nigeria prepares to face top Group C contenders, Rwanda, on March 17 in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, there are growing concerns about the Super Eagles’ chances of securing a spot in the tournament. With only three points from four matches, Nigeria is dangerously positioned second-to-last in their group, leaving them with just six remaining fixtures to fight for a place in the expanded World Cup, which will feature 48 teams for the first time, hosted across the USA, Canada, and Mexico.
The road to qualification has been rocky, with the Super Eagles struggling to gain momentum. The qualifiers, which will run until 2026, are crucial for Nigeria, especially after missing out on the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. With the tournament fast approaching, Nigeria’s chances of qualifying look increasingly slim, and the nation is facing a serious challenge in turning things around.
A Rocky Path Forward
Despite efforts by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to inject new life into the team—such as the appointment of Malian coach Eric Sekou Chelle and the formation of the Presidential Support Group (PSG)—former internationals have voiced concerns about Nigeria’s current trajectory. These players, some of whom have had the privilege of representing the nation on the global stage, are skeptical about the Super Eagles’ ability to overcome the steep odds against them.
Christian Chukwu, former captain of the Green Eagles and a Nations Cup winner in 1980, expressed his frustrations with the NFF’s handling of the situation, noting that while prayer may help, the team’s fate ultimately lies in the hands of the leadership and players. “We’re already in a deep mess. It’s a tough call. I don’t know how they’re going to do it. It’s easy to say that Nigeria will qualify, but we should ask NFF how Nigeria got to this crossroad,” Chukwu commented. He added, “Anyway, there’s nothing that prayer cannot do. We have to pray hard because our opponents are also working and praying. NFF has given us a new coach from Mali. Even though I don’t know his pedigree, a coach is a coach.”
Questions About Drive and Determination
Other ex-internationals, like Edema Fuludu, echoed Chukwu’s concerns, stating that while qualifying for the World Cup is still possible, the road ahead will not be easy. “A lot has gone wrong already. On a scale of 1-10, we would get to 4. It’s not gonna be easy. For patriotism’s sake, I say yes, we can qualify, but it’s not an easy task,” Fuludu remarked. He also questioned the abilities of the newly-appointed coach, Eric Chelle, stressing that success ultimately depends on the players themselves rather than the coach. “NFF believes that perhaps he is a talisman or an oracle that can conjure things and make miracles. At the end, it boils down to the players. Not the coach. Players make the coach.”
Garba Lawal, a veteran of the 1998 and 2002 World Cups, raised doubts about whether the Super Eagles players possess the necessary drive and determination to succeed in the qualifiers. “Do they have the drive? Do they have the inner convictions? Do they have the discipline?” Lawal asked, acknowledging that anything could happen in football. “The table can turn if they win their first two matches against table-topper Rwanda in Kigali and win the home game against Zimbabwe. They must not drop a point, and there must be no room for complacency,” he added.
A Struggle for Success
Friday Ekpo, another former international, described Nigeria’s dream of winning all six remaining matches as an uphill task. “Nothing is impossible in football, but it looks like a mirage. First, the attitude of the players will determine how hungry they are for the task ahead. We should have gone for a better coach in a dire situation like this,” Ekpo said. He criticized the NFF’s decision to hire Chelle, pointing out that the new coach has limited experience, with just five caps as a player and a coaching background with lesser-known clubs. “We have to support him. It’s a pity that the NFF hired a coach like him. Augustine Eguavoen is better than him in all standards. He does not know the players. Is it the NFF that will pick the players for him?” Ekpo questioned. Despite the challenges, Ekpo maintained a sense of optimism, stating, “It’s a very difficult road, but there’s nothing God cannot do. Let’s support him.”
Looking Ahead
As Nigeria approaches its crucial match against Rwanda, the Super Eagles’ qualification hopes are on a knife-edge. The team faces an uphill battle to ensure they secure the necessary points in their remaining six matches. For Nigeria, the road to the 2026 World Cup is paved with uncertainty, but with determination, the right mindset, and a bit of luck, the Super Eagles could still defy the odds and qualify for the prestigious tournament.
