Nigeria’s World Cup Qualification Hopes Still Alive, Says Coach Chelle

Nigeria’s national football team still has a strong chance of qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, according to Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle. Speaking in the wake of mixed results in the qualification campaign, Chelle remains confident that his team can overcome current setbacks and secure a place in the tournament.

The Super Eagles are currently trailing behind group leaders South Africa in the qualifiers. After securing a 2-0 victory over Rwanda, the team struggled in a subsequent match, drawing against Zimbabwe. These results have left Nigeria six points adrift of South Africa, raising concerns about the team’s qualification prospects.

Despite this gap, Chelle is optimistic. He emphasized that the team has four more matches to play in the qualifiers and insisted that qualification remains within reach if they win all remaining games. “It’s an obligation to win in South Africa, but the most important match for us right now is Rwanda in Uyo,” Chelle said, underlining the immediate priority of securing maximum points in the next fixture.

The match against Rwanda is scheduled to take place on September 3 at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State. This home game will be followed by a crucial away encounter against South Africa on September 7. Chelle believes that the team must first focus on the game in Uyo and then aim to collect three points on the road in South Africa.

Acknowledging the strength of the South African side, Chelle stressed the importance of not allowing them to dictate the pace of the match. “South Africa are a good team. We can’t allow them to dominate,” he added, indicating that tactical discipline and resilience will be key in the high-stakes fixture.

Chelle, who took over the team in January 2025 after a stint as Mali’s national team coach, has had a challenging start to his tenure. Expectations are high for the Super Eagles, a team with a rich footballing history and multiple World Cup appearances. The pressure is now on to ensure the team qualifies for the expanded 48-team World Cup scheduled to take place in the United States, Mexico, and Canada.

Failure to qualify would be a major disappointment for Nigerian football fans, especially after the team missed out on the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. Chelle has urged supporters to remain patient and continue backing the team as they prepare for the decisive fixtures.

The coach is currently focused on assembling a squad capable of delivering results in both the Rwanda and South Africa matches. He is expected to make strategic selections based on form, fitness, and match-readiness in the coming months.

Chelle has also expressed confidence in the players’ commitment and believes that the team will rise to the occasion. He pointed out that the road to qualification is still open and that the Super Eagles have the quality to finish strong and claim their ticket to the global tournament.

With the September fixtures looming, the Super Eagles’ path to the World Cup hinges on consistent performances and a perfect finish to the qualifying series. The upcoming matches will be crucial in determining whether Nigeria will be among the African representatives at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.