The President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Ibrahim Gusau, remains optimistic that the Super Eagles can turn their fortunes around and secure qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the USA, Canada, and Mexico, despite their disappointing start to the campaign.
The Super Eagles currently sit fifth in Group C of the qualification series, with just three points from four matches, following three draws and one defeat.
In a statement addressing the team’s struggles, Gusau acknowledged the poor run of form but expressed confidence in their ability to recover and meet expectations.
“The Super Eagles’ underwhelming start to the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers has been a source of concern for everyone—administrators, enthusiasts, and fans alike,” Gusau said. “However, I strongly believe we can still achieve qualification.
“Our priority is to reassemble the squad that brought pride to the nation at the last AFCON in Ivory Coast, where we came within 23 minutes of winning the trophy. If we can regain that form, the goal of winning all six remaining matches in the qualifiers to secure an automatic ticket to the World Cup is realistic.”
Gusau added that qualifying for the World Cup would create the momentum needed for a strong performance at the 2025 AFCON in Morocco later that year.
The Super Eagles kicked off the year 2024 on a high note with a runner-up finish at the 2023 AFCON in Ivory Coast. However, their World Cup qualifying campaign has been far less impressive.
The team began with consecutive draws against Lesotho (home), Zimbabwe, and South Africa (home), followed by a 2-1 loss to the Benin Republic. This poor run of results has left Nigeria trailing group leaders Rwanda, South Africa, and the Benin Republic by four points, while Lesotho sits just ahead with five points.
The defeat against the Benin Republic intensified internal crises within the team, culminating in the departure of coach Finidi George. In the interim, NFF Technical Director Austin Eguavoen has taken charge, with a new head coach expected to be appointed before the next round of matches in March 2025.
The Super Eagles are set to face a critical away fixture against Rwanda in Kigali, followed by a home match against Zimbabwe. Gusau emphasized the importance of these games in reigniting the team’s qualification hopes and rallying support from fans across the nation.
“The journey ahead is tough, but I trust in the players’ resilience and the federation’s commitment to giving them the best preparation possible. Together, we can achieve our goal and make Nigeria proud,” Gusau concluded.
