We will beat South Africa, Benin Republic, Finidi assures

Nigeria is currently placed third in Group C of the 2026 World Cup African qualifying series. The Super Eagles could only draw with Lesotho at home and Zimbabwe away in their first two games of the series to stand below Rwanda and South Africa in the group, which will produce only one team for the World Cup.

But the new Super Eagles Head Coach, Finidi George, is not troubled by his team’s current situation, saying it would be corrected in the next two games in June.

Nigeria will host South Africa early in June and travel to Cote d’Ivoire to face Benin Republic a few days later.

The Enyimba coach was criticised by many for Nigeria’s 0-2 loss to Mali in a recent international friendly, after managing to beat Ghana 2-1 in Morocco during the last FIFA window. But George said he should not be judged by the results of those friendlies.

The coach told an online publication that the Super Eagles will be ready for the games against South Africa and Benin, adding, however, that they need Nigerians’ support to accomplish the tasks.

He said: “The World Cup qualification matches against South Africa and the Benin Republic is a collective responsibility for all Nigerians.

“I know I am in charge now, and the heavy responsibility is on me to win the two matches.

“I will do my best to ensure success and qualify for the World Cup. I am also in touch with the players, and they are ready and willing to give their all, having missed out on the last edition held in Qatar.”

George said he has been following South Africa and Benin Republic and knows what to expect from them when they meet the Super Eagles.

“The world today is a global village; one can monitor anything in the comfort of his/ her sitting room.

“We need prayers and support from everybody; this is our own; we can do it and do it well.

“I watch our players weekly as they play in their various clubs. Honestly, my target is to win the two matches and not to be judged with the two international friendly games played.”