Nigeria’s hopes of qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup are hanging by a thread, but Super Eagles head coach Eric Sekhou Chelle remains optimistic that his team can turn things around despite their rocky start, Soccernet.ng reports.
The three-time African champions had a disappointing run in the early stages of the qualifiers, failing to secure a single victory in their first four matches before Chelle took charge. The appointment of the Malian tactician, however, seemed to breathe new life into the squad as they bounced back with a 2-0 win over Rwanda, offering a glimmer of hope to Nigerian fans.
Yet, the journey remains complicated. A draw against Zimbabwe in their subsequent fixture only deepened their struggles, leaving them six points behind group leaders South Africa, who are currently in pole position to qualify for their first World Cup since hosting the 2010 edition.
Chelle’s Game Plan for a Turnaround
For Nigeria to keep their World Cup dream alive, they must win all four of their remaining qualifiers and hope that their direct rivals drop crucial points along the way. Chelle has identified their upcoming clash against South Africa as the defining moment in their campaign.
“It’s an obligation we win in South Africa, but the most important match for us right now is Rwanda in Uyo,” Chelle stated, as quoted by Brila.net.
The Malian coach emphasized the importance of taking the qualification journey one step at a time, stressing that their primary focus must be on defeating Rwanda at home before shifting their attention to the Bafana Bafana showdown.
“South Africa are a good side, but for that game, we cannot afford to allow them to play freely. However, before thinking about them, we must first defeat Rwanda at home. That is the immediate priority.”
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Nigeria’s Road to Redemption
The Super Eagles will host Rwanda at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo on September 3rd, a fixture that now carries immense significance. Victory in that game will be crucial in setting the right momentum before they travel to South Africa three days later for what could be a make-or-break clash.
Beyond these two fixtures, Nigeria will also have to face Lesotho and Benin, with all matches now serving as virtual finals. Anything less than maximum points in any of them could spell doom for their qualification hopes.
The coming months will be a true test of Chelle’s tactical ability and the fighting spirit of the Super Eagles. Can they pull off a miraculous turnaround, or will Nigeria miss out on the World Cup for the second consecutive time? Only time will tell.
