As the Super Eagles confront Bafana Bafana of South Africa in a make-or-break 2026 World Cup qualifier today, some football-loving Nigerians have charged the team not to let the country down.
  
The Super Eagles managed to pick three points by beating Rwanda 1-0 in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, last Saturday. That was 24 hours after Bafana Bafana had overpowered Lesotho 3-0 away from home to take their points haul to 16 against Nigeria’s 10.
 
Speaking with The Guardian yesterday, a football analyst, Mr. Franklin Ikpeoha, said the Super Eagles must raise their game if they desire to overcome South Africa.
 
“The South Africans have been more consistent in their approach,” Ikpeoha said, adding, “They have been going about their business very meticulously, and you can see why they are on 16 points against Nigeria’s 10.

So, it is a make-or-mar situation for Nigeria.
 
“The only thing I’m expecting is that Nigeria should go all out and do the best they can. If they get all three points, fantastic. If not, glory be to God. But truthfully, Nigeria have not really put in the effort expected of a team with so much potential,” he said.
 
Another sports analyst, Mr. Ajayi Banks, is not surprised with the position that the Super Eagles have found themselves in, stressing that “Nigeria has struggled in past qualifying campaigns.”
   
“Each time the World Cup qualifier is approaching, we always find it difficult to put things right to make our qualification easy. But all I am praying for this next match against South Africa is for the Super Eagles to win so that at least we can see the Super Eagles at the World Cup.”