As the next round of qualification matches for the 2026 Federation of International Football Associations, FIFA World Cup begins in March, 2025, Nigerians are in quandary over the ability of the Super Eagles to pick the sole ticket of Group C as they lie precariously on the fifth spot, surprisingly behind Rwanda, South Africa, Benin Republic and Lesotho in that order.
To emerge top of the group, the Super Eagles, who are presently without a substantive coach, would need to win the remaining six matches left in the series to amass 18 points in addition to the three they already have to finish with 23 points.
Before 1994, Nigeria’s senior national team, either as the Red Devils, Green Eagles or Super Eagles had always lost in their quest to qualify for the greatest single sports event in the world, football’s World Cup with the nearest being in 1977 when they needed a home win against Tunisia to qualify but no thanks to an own goal through Godwin Odiye’s back header.
From 1960 when the country gained her flag independence from Britain, the national team first participated in the CAF World Cup qualifiers for the 1962 edition in Chile with only six teams participating, Egypt, Sudan, Nigeria, Ghana, Morocco and Tunisia.
However, only four of them competed for a partial slot as Egypt, then known as the United Arab Republic and Sudan withdrew.
Morocco was paired with Tunisia while Nigeria and Ghana battled each other in a two- legged affair.
Morocco and Tunisia won their respective home games 2-1 but in the playoffs in Palermo, Italy, both teams settled for a 1-1 draw after extra time but rather than a penalty shootout, it was decided by a toss of coin and Morocco triumphed.
Ghana defeated Nigeria 4-1 in the first leg in Accra and the return leg in Lagos ended 2-2 and so Ghana went ahead to play Morocco but lost out to the North Africans.
Africa couldn’t get a slot as Morocco lost the inter-confederation playoffs to Spain.
For the 1966 qualifiers, Nigeria was among the 15 African countries that entered for the competition. However, they didn’t kick a ball as all of them withdrew in protest after FIFA declined to allocate a direct qualifying place for an African team.
Like in the 1962 qualifiers when they had to go through a playoff route with a team from UEFA, they were asked to play a team in Asia-Oceania.
In 1969 during the 1970 World Cup qualifiers, after dumping Ghana, Morocco became the barrier as they picked the lone ticket and qualified ahead of Nigeria as CAF didn’t go through the playoffs route again.
For the 1974 edition, Ghana stopped Nigeria again after 0-2 in Lagos and 0-0 in Accra.
It was an own goal by Godwin Odiye at the National Stadium in Lagos that denied Nigeria the ticket to the 1978 World Cup.
By 1982, FIFA had awarded Africa two slots but Nigeria didn’t still qualify, the same with 1986 and 1990.
The crop of Super Eagles who won the AFCON in Tunisia in 1994 also made history by qualifying the country for her first World Cup held in the United States that same year without much stress.
Since that first appearance, the Super Eagles have missed only two editions, 2006 edition in Germany which they lost to Angola through head to head rule and the last one in Qatar which they also lost, again on home soil to perennial rivals Ghana on aggregate after 0-0 in Accra and 1-1 in Abuja.
Since 1994, this is the first time that the Super Eagles have boxed themselves into a precarious corner, making Nigerians ask if they could pick the chestnut out of the fire they have put themselves by their lackadaisical approach to matches.
Unlike the fabled monkey seeking the help of the cat with its paws to pick the chestnut out of the fiery fire, the Super Eagles would have no outside help but need their determination and dexterity to do the unthinkable, win all six remaining matches, without which they would just kiss the 2026 World Cup to be co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico goodbye.
The task before whoever is appointed to lead the team in this journey is an onerous one. Whether it is Austin Eguavoen, on interim or substantive basis, or a foreign coach, the chances are very slim if the performances of the current set of Super Eagles are anything to go by.
In the last 12 months, the team have not won six straight matches, so how are they going to do it now with so much anxiety?
From January to November this year, they have played of 18 games, three being friendly matches, and they won only nine. One of the wins was a quarter-finals penalty shootout against South Africa at the AFCON in Abidjan and the other was a 2025 AFCON qualifier awarded to them against Libya.
So you can safely say they won only seven games in regulation time, which gives them a 39 percent chance of repeating same in the six remaining World Cup matches starting March 17, 2025 with the Kigali tie against the same Rwanda that snatched a rare victory against them at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo last month.
After the match in Kigali, they will play two consecutive home matches against Zimbabwe on March 24 and Rwanda on September 25.
In the same September, they will travel to Johannesburg to meet the Bafana Bafana whose coach, Hugo Broos is almost swearing that it will be over his dead body that Nigeria will qualify ahead of South Africa.
Their last home game on October 13, will be against Gernot Rohr’s Cheetahs who inflicted the first loss on them in the qualifiers in Abidjan.
If the Super Eagles lose any of the five matches before the last game away to Lesotho, the NFF should just save the country the scarce foreign exchange in inviting Europe-based players by sending the leading club in the NPFL or the CHAN Eagles to play the game which will be a mere formality.
If however, the Super Eagles are able to pull the chestnut out of the proverbial fire and qualify, it will be a step higher than the eight wonder of the world that former vice president of FIFA Jack Warner described the readiness of the Lagos National Stadium for the FIFA U-20 World Cup in 1999 under few months.
Indiscipline: Major crux of Super Eagles
American author and entrepreneur, Emmanuel Rohn, professionally known as Jim Rohn, may have had the Super Eagles of Nigeria in mind when he made his famous quote which says; ‘’discipline is the bridge between goals and accomplishment.” In other words, this quote suggests that discipline is the key to achieving goals.
And as attention shifts to the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, the fear of indiscipline in the Super Eagles has cropped up as the main crux that may crush Nigeria’s desire of picking a World Cup ticket from a Group hitherto considered favourable with South Africa, Republic of Benin, Zimbabwe, Rwanda and Lesotho.
Unfortunately, the Super Eagles are currently precariously placed second-to-last in their Group C with three meager points of a possible 12 having played four of their five group opponents, leaving them six matches to determine their fate of picking a ticket to join the party of 48 teams expanded from 32. The tournament which takes place from June 11 to July 19, 2026, is the first time that 48 teams will be playing. It is the first time 16 cities in three North American countries: Canada, Mexico, and the United States will be hosting. And the chances of seeing Nigeria’s green white green flag hoisted and fluttering with the other 47 flags look remote.
Talks of indiscipline among the rank and file of the team has filled the air with ex-internationals, who had gone through this route, raising the alarm. Beyond the shocking lack of character or belief by the players, the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, will take the blame for everything for showing little or nothing in checkmating the players’ attitude to camp and helping to restore order from the power play by the players. The team without a substantive coach has not helped matters as the interim coach Austin Eguavoen lacks the authority to instill discipline in a team he has no hand in inviting to camp. Most of the players know where their loyalties lie.
My worst fears remain players’ attitude – Udeze
Ex-international, Vitalis Ifeanyichukwu Udeze said that his only fear of Nigeria’s qualification for the World Cup solely lies with the attitude of the players. ‘’My worst fear remains the attitude and indiscipline in the camp of the Eagles. The players lack the hunger of reporting to camp. The Eagles’ camp that used to be very strict with camp rules has become loose. The players stroll into camp late and still get shirts to play in a game. It is strange. It never happened when I was playing. Without bonding with other players to the formation of the coach, the result is obvious”, he regrettably said.
Standard for inviting players now lowered – Onazi
Another former Super Eagles, Ogenyi Onazi, agreed with Udeze that the commitment level of the current Super Eagles has become suspect, thereby advocating for stiffer rules and regulations(Code of Conduct) for the team. “It was a thing of joy being invited to the camp of the Super Eagles and the invited players treasured it. Now, all manner of players are invited to the team and it has lowered standard. Invitation to the national team is not all about who’s doing well in his club. Discipline, respect and comportment were also considered. Now, all manner of players get invitations to the team and they’ve sacrificed the unity, the brotherhood that existed in the team. That is why I insist that there should be regulations in the team if we need to pick the pieces and qualify for the World Cup,” Onazi said.
Though most of the ex players we talked to refrained from hitting the nail on the head, it was so obvious that they appointed accusing fingers on the soccer-ruling body, the Nigeria Football Federation. There have been allegations leveled against the body that some big guns have special players they invite to the camp without
the knowledge of the coach. And such players see themselves as sacred cows which are above the law. Many others said that if the Super Eagles fail to qualify for the World Cup that the reason would be due to the ineptitude of those charged with the responsibility of managing our football. A clear case example of condoning indiscipline and looking the other way was during the height of the brouhaha between Victor Osimhen and coach Finidi George.
Many soccer fans have also raised eye brows to the attitude of the current Super Eagles players with content creators strolling in and out of the camp of the team unchecked thereby distracting camp rules to the chagrin of helpless coach Eguavoen who is more interested in getting confirmed as the coach than to step on toes of sacred players who can pull the rug off his feet through their godfathers.
NFF encourages indiscipline in Eagles camp – Enyeama
Former goalkeepe, Vincent Enyeama, did not think twice when he said that the level of indiscipline in the camp of the Eagles was being perpetrated by the NFF.
“The football house should be the gatekeeper of rules and regulations. They should know when the players are supposed to be in camp. They should have their schedule like when they played for their clubs. They should hit camp a day after playing for their clubs. Unfortunately here, you find players reporting to camp two or three day after featuring for their clubs without any action or sanction on them.
Another former player of the Eagles, Victor Agali also blamed the NFF for most of the chaos being noticed in the national team. I don’t know if they really care about the image of Nigerian football. It saddens my heart to know that our management is really the problem of the national team. And I ask, what is the support they have given to the coaches?
Optimism on qualification
No matter how difficult things appear for the Super Eagles, there are still optimists who believe the Eagles can still soar to America, Canada and Mexico for the 2026 World Cup. Former Super Eagles captain, Henry Nwosu falls in this category. He said that it is never too late to be what you might have been. And former secretary General of the NFA, Sani Toro under whose tenure as scribe the Green Eagles qualified for their first World Cup in USA ’94. He’s a great optimist and believer of the Super Eagles and thinks that the only limit to our realization of tomorrow will be our doubts of today.
Coaches shouldn’t neglect home-based players — Henry Nwosu
The former skipper, on the country’s chances, said: “Nigeria can still, and will qualify for the 2026 World Cup. All they need to do is just to concentrate on their games and put in more effort the same way they do in their respective clubs. The team handlers should not neglect the home based players.
“They should be invited into the national team as was the tradition in the past. Let them fight for the shirts, let there be competition between them and the home-based. The foreign-based players may be complacent in their approach to the national team assignment because they have nothing to lose. Good or bad, they will go back to their clubs and be playing their game.
“But, the home-based on their side, are hungry and eager to make their marks and attract the foreign clubs. They too want to go abroad to play. So, let them compete for the shirts, if the home based is better, they should be given a space in the team.
On Coaching
“I don’t believe that we don’t have a coach for the team. Augustine Eguavoen is a coach, even though he’s the Technical Director of the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF. He needs to be encouraged. We shouldn’t be looking for a coach now because that will amount to a setback in terms of a new coach setting down and knowing the players.
“Again, Eguavoen should be given a free hand to pick his players without any interference. Eguavoen should be there, he can handle the team. We have coaches here who can do the Eagles job.
“Emmanuel Amuneke played good football and is doing well as a coach. We have good coaches here in Nigeria. All these Nigerian coaches need is good working environment, free hand to operate, discipline and good pay like they pay the expatriate coaches. Once they enable Eguavoen and he knows he’s fully in charge, things will change. The attitude of the players will change and discipline will automatically be implemented. The players will buckle up because they know that he has the power to drop or not invite them. So, I don’t think there’s a need for a new coach now.”
Eguavoen should continue – Sani Toro
The former Secretary General of NFF, on Eguavoen’s stay as coach, said: “On our World Cup qualification, the most important is, there should be continuity in the coaching crew, Augustine Eguavoen remains the Acting Head Coach of the Super Eagles and the players have confidence in him and he too has confidence in the players.
“Therefore, I am optimistic that the Super Eagles will qualify , what remains now is for the new Chairman of the National Sports Commission, NSC, and the president of the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, to make sure they put their heads together to have one plan to succeed and for Super Eagles to succeed.
“Let’s put behind us, the manner the Eagles played in their last two AFCON qualifiers, like I said, the important thing now is for the Super Eagles to qualify. Once they qualify other strategies will come up.
“For now, we don’t have anything to do with hiring of a new coach. In fact, I will say there’s nothing anyone can do. We just have to support Eguavoen and the team because if you bring in a new coach now, there will definitely be a problem. I am not in support of that. Let him (Eguavoen) continue as the Acting Head Coach of the Super Eagles.
“I pray for him to qualify. If he qualifies, other things will follow, which will be for NSC and NFF to look for a permanent coach. But for now, I want Eguavoen to remain as Super Eagles coach. We need to move forward speaking with one voice as division will lead us to doom.”
Eguavoen: To be or not to be?
The intricate situation the Super Eagles have found themselves in their quest for the 2026 FIFA World Cup has thrown Nigerians off balance. The sheer thought of not having their national flag hoisted in the US, Mexico and Canada during the expanded Mundial sends shivers down the spines of the football-crazy citizens. Some are at their wits end on how to get a football wizard with a magic wand to qualify their team for the World Cup. While some optimists still see the task as achievable some, who call themselves as realists see the situation as irredeemable. Many are suggesting the engagement of a foreign coach.
We don’t need any foreign coach — Akanni
Waidi Akanni is a former Nigeria international and one time Chairman of the Lagos State Football Association and has vehemently said no to the rcruitment of a foreign coach.
“To be honest with you, I think Eguavoen should be retained. I am not saying this because he is someone I know, but because of what he has brought into the national team in the last two or three months. It is there for everyone to see. Even when we didn’t even need to win a game, we saw how he gave the fringe players a chance against Rwanda to see what they can offer and justify their places in the team.
“So, my belief is, they should allow him continue with what he is doing. He could probably do more, as he is also in charge of the home-based Eagles for CHAN. For me, I feel they should allow Eguavoen to continue. Technically, you can see what he has done. The players listen to him and he has a great rapport with them. One may say we are not getting good results, but we are getting results as better results will come as a matter of time.
“Again, I don’t think the World Cup is Nigeria’s birthright. Some people will want to crucify me on that. But I feel if we had started very well, we would not have been panicking now. For Nigeria to qualify for the World Cup is very, very dicey. Having played the game and from the level I know, it means we need to win all our remaining matches both home and also pray for a slip by current leaders Rwanda and South Africa. It is easier said than done.
“South Africa and the other teams will also prepare; just like the other countries Benin and Rwanda. They all want to go to the World Cup also. But Nigeria qualifying is not impossible but the odds are stack against Nigeria. So if you look at that, why do we need a foreign coach? Why do you want to spend all that money looking for a coach when qualification cannot be guaranteed. I still look at it as impossible.
“My take is, let’s keep Eguavoen let him keep doing what he has been doing and hopefully, we can form a sound base for both the home Eagles and foreign based Super Eagles.
NFF is bent on hiring a foreign coach because they believe foreign coaches are of higher technical quality than Nigerian coaches including Eguavoen.
“I don’believe in that because everybody has his own advantages. I can agree that they can connect us abroad because they are foreign, and we are local. Football is international. I can agree to that but not to say they are better technically. Coaches have different qualities. They have got different technical qualities among themselves. For instance, take the calibre of players we have now in Nigeria – the likes of Osimhen, Iwobi, Lookman, among others; the standard they have attained and operate, you don’t bring in a substandard coach. We must go for a top notch coach that people know and one the players can respect and understand and improve the fortunes of Nigerian football. That is my take on it. But again, I say, leave Eguavoen.
Top notch coaches are needed for Nigeria
“We are in a small world. They can research on coaches who are out of jobs around the world. But again there is this issue of coaches not being paid as and when due. That might also work against us if we want a coach. I can only say, let us keep what we have, let us develop them. I need to look back at what we have at the moment, though we call them local coaches – they are doing well for themselves.
“We have Finidi George who is back to coaching a club – though he didn’t do well with the national team, Daniel Amokachi is back – I say give the national team to Amokachi on his own, I guarantee you will see massive difference. That is one person I can vouch for. You have Emmanuel Amuneke who I consider as a foreign coach because he doesn’t live in Nigeria until recently.
He got all his coaching qualification abroad and he lives in Barcelona. I think it has to do with our colour and mentality. We need to keep these guys and keep them fit. We need to improve them and send them to training courses to update their knowledge of the game.”
From the concern of stakeholders, one believes the Super Eagles can still qualify for the 2026 World Cup, all things being equal. Realistically though, qualification is in the their hands of the players and coach, that is if they are able to surmmount all odds and win all six remaining matches, given that Nigerians would cherish a qualification that is gradually becoming illusive to the country.
Going by antcedence however, it is yet to be seen how a team that have not recorded six straight wins over a decade, could achieve that fit now, but as they say in football, anything can happen.
END
Be the first to comment