For players and officials of the Super Eagles, anything short of victory in Saturday’s match against Rwanda in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, and the remaining three games will be damaging to Nigeria’s dream of appearing in the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The Bafana Bafana of South Africa, on Friday, extended their lead to 16 points, nine points ahead of the Super Eagles after beating host Lesotho 3-0. Benin Republic also won 1-0 against Zimbabwe on Friday.
The victories by South Africa and the Benin Republic notwithstanding, Super Eagles players have vowed to collect all 12 points from the four matches, starting with the battle of Uyo.
Coach Eric Chelle and his army know the expectations of Nigerians as they start their ambitious drive against visiting Rwanda’s Amavubi this Saturday at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium.
From the Presidency, to the National Sports Commission (NSC), the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), members of the Supporters Club and millions of football-loving Nigerians, the Super Eagles have had all the support they needed in this venue (Uyo), but somehow, they have struggled to get results there.
The most shocking was the 1-1 draw against Zimbabwe in March, a game they needed to win to keep up with South Africa, who are leading the group C with 13 points.
Speaking after their training on Friday, the players sounded confident of beating Rwanda to be in a good frame of mind for their next game on Tuesday against the Bafana Bafana of South Africa in Bloemfontein.
“We have Rwanda to play on Saturday, and we are working hard to get the three points,” said team captain William Troost Ekong.
“After that, we begin to think of South Africa. There are three points also in that match, and we are working hard to grab it. We will do our very best to go all out and win the remaining four matches. Hopefully, that will be good enough to take us to the 2026 World Cup.”
On his part, midfielder Frank Onyeka noted that the situation looks a bit dicey, but the Super Eagles is focused on getting the results.
“I know it is not easy feeling this way, especially after the past games. We are in a difficult position now, but as a team, we are doing everything we can,” Onyeka said.
“We are confident, and we are training hard to get the results. The coaches and everyone in the squad believe we can come out with good results,” he stated.
Coach Chelle has his full camp in Uyo for this Saturday’s tie against Rwanda.
Frank Onyeka, Wilfred Ndidi, Alex Iwobi, Calvin Bassey, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, Ola Aina, Bright Osayi-Samuel, Moses Simon, Chidozie Awaziem, Adebayo Adeleye, William Troost-Ekong, Amas Obasogie, Felix Agu, Raphael Onyedika and ABS FC defender, Fredrick Benjamin, trained on Friday and all expressed confidence that Rwanda must fall.
Meanwhile, group leader, Bafana Bafana, who played against the Crocodiles of Lesotho on Friday evening, are not hiding their plan to cage the Super Eagles in Tuesday’s crucial tie in Bloemfontein.
Even before his team’s encounter with Lesotho on Friday evening, Bafana Bafana head coach Hugo Broos openly admitted that Nigeria won’t pose any threat on Tuesday, saying: “I had seen Super Eagles games in the past and there is nothing to worry about.
“First of all, let’s start with Lesotho. I don’t want to think about Nigeria for the moment. I have seen their games in the past, and that is enough for me for now. We will start focusing on them after the game with Lesotho,” Broos said.
South Africa is aiming to stop Nigeria on Tuesday to cement their qualification to the 2026 World Cup, which will be co-hosted by the USA, Canada, and Mexico.
