The Super Eagles have found themselves in a difficult position in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers. However, expectations are still high that the team can turn things around and overcome their opponents in Group C.
Completesports.com‘s AUGUSTINE AKHILOMEN highlights seven reasons the Super Eagles’ 2026 World Cup dream is still alive.
1. Good Technical Adviser Will Spur Eagles
The appointment of a quality foreign manager will no doubt have a positive effect on the Super Eagles players after a poor start to their 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign, where the team currently languishes in 5th place on the table.
Recall that former coach Finidi George resigned from his post after failing to guide the team to victory in two matches that he handled against South Africa and Benin, respectively.
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However, if the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) appoints a sound tactical and technical coach, it will boost the morale of the players in their quest to qualify for the World Cup.
2. The Nigerian Never-Say-Die Spirit
Many pundits may have written off the Super Eagles from qualifying for the World Cup; however, the team has a way of stepping up their game when their backs are against the wall.
Having accomplished a seeming impossible task en route to the 2002 World Cup under the reign of the late Shuaibu Amodu where he took over from Jo Bonfrere and qualified Nigeria to the football showpiece against the odds, the current Super Eagles can repeat the same feat and claim victory in their remaining six games.
3. One Win Will Spark An Unbeaten Run
Although South Africa, Rwanda, and Benin are joint top on seven points each in Group C, four points ahead of Nigeria, a win for the Super Eagles will definitely spark an unbeaten run for the team.
Nigeria sits fifth, having managed three draws and one loss, putting the team in a tight corner. However, with the team desperately seeking a win to light up their campaign, that may propel the Super Eagles to a straight run of wins in Group C.
4. Boniface And Osimhen’s Pairing Will Make A Difference
Despite his goal-scoring exploits for Bayer Leverkusen in Germany, many Nigerians expected him to lead the Super Eagles’ attack against South Africa and Benin, but he was left on the bench for reasons best known to the former head coach.
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However, if the combination of Victor Boniface and Victor Osimhen, who had a decent season for Napoli in Serie A, is well utilized, then the Super Eagles will put their group opponents in a tough spot and revive the team’s 2026 World Cup ambition.
5. Eagles Deserve Committed, Hungry Players Ready To Spill Their Last Blood
The last two matches against South Africa and Benin have exposed a few players who simply displayed a lackadaisical performance, preferring to protect their legs for their clubs. There is no doubt that it will be difficult to compare the commitment and hunger of the South African and Benin squads to those of Nigeria.
Nigeria needs players who understand what it means to play against their African opponents, who are always physical and pacy in their approach.
6. South Africa, Benin, And Rwanda Are Not Invincible
These teams may be leading Group C with seven points each, but nothing makes them invincible. They have all lost one game apiece, and that gives the Super Eagles hope of turning things around against them when the qualifying campaign resumes in March 2025.
Starting with Rwanda away, the Super Eagles must mount a strong challenge and pick up the maximum points before battling South Africa in September in the reverse fixture, which could decide Nigeria’s World Cup fate.
7. Self-Motivation
The Super Eagles players at this stage don’t need financial incentives to motivate them because they are already self-motivated to clear all obstacles along the way and book a ticket to the 2026 World Cup.
The journey resumes in March 2025, when perhaps the players will be in the thick of the action at their respective clubs in Europe.
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COMMENTS
Committed players (point number 5) will change everything. Not those who stroll into camp 2 hours to match day and still get into the first team. Their output will be zero. On the flip side, it might also be good for Nigeria if they miss out of the world cup. Many will by then fall out of selection reckoning afterwards because of the stigma of missing out of 2 consecutive world cups which will put them out of 2027 AFCON ambition and new players without godfather influence will arise. Catch-22 dynamics.
If certain players know they’d always make first team, diminishing returns will always set in. But if no sacred cows, players will be committed without even point number 7.
Even if Nigeria win all remaining 6 matches which will give them maximum points of 21, they still need to pray for luck and some special forces to make the trio of South Africa, Benin or Rwanda to draw or lose a game. Gernot Rohr that I know will rather play a 6-3-1 formation and get a draw than allow Nigeria defeat them, white coaches are not that daft náà