Despite a rocky start to Nigeria’s World Cup qualifying journey, head coach Eric Sekhou Chelle is far from waving the white flag. The Super Eagles boss is rallying his squad and fans with a clear message: the dream is still alive.
After inheriting a team that had gone winless in their first four qualifiers, Chelle gave fans a glimpse of hope with a solid 2-0 win over Rwanda. But a frustrating draw against Zimbabwe quickly reminded everyone that the road to the 2026 FIFA World Cup won’t be smooth.
Now trailing group leaders South Africa by six points, Nigeria’s path to qualification is narrow—but not impossible. And Chelle knows exactly what needs to be done.
“It’s an obligation to win in South Africa,” Chelle told Brila FM. “But before that, we must take care of business at home. The Rwanda match in Uyo is our most important game right now.”
With just four qualifiers left, the Super Eagles must win every remaining match—and hope South Africa and others slip up along the way. That makes the September 3rd clash against Rwanda in Uyo, followed by a high-stakes showdown with South Africa just three days later, absolutely critical.
What’s Ahead
To keep the squad sharp, the NFF is lining up a series of prep games before the September crunch. A friendly against FIFA-banned Russia is rumored for June, along with potential action in the Unity Cup, a four-nation tournament that may feature Ghana, Jamaica, and Trinidad & Tobago. While the NFF has yet to officially confirm these fixtures, announcements are expected soon.
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