Nigerians have lost faith in the Super Eagles qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup after they failed to beat Zimbabwe in round 6 at the Godswill Akp
Nigerians have lost faith in the Super Eagles qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup after they failed to beat Zimbabwe in round 6 at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo.
Soon after the referee blew his whistle to signal the end of the game, the camera captured Victor Osimhen looking so dejected and almost shedding tears because he knew it was 90% likely that he would watch the next World Cup on television just like the last edition.
Fans of the Super Eagles have accepted that they will miss the 2026 World Cup, per many conversations.
Former Super Eagles super talented playmaker Jay Jay Okocha has joined the millions of Nigerians thinking that South Africa will win the only slot in Group C after they defeated Benin 2-0 to open a six-point gap over the Super Eagles.
“Someone thinking South Africa is not topping the group is delusional,” Okocha said.
“Are we saying if FIFA deducts their (South Africa) 3 points, it’s over for them? No, they will still be on top of us. Actually, they will be still leading the log table; South Africa has done enough to top the group,” – Okocha said in an interview with BBC Nigeria.
Lesotho has presented a case to FIFA concerning a South African midfielder, Teboho Mokoena, who was ineligible to play against them due to yellow card accumulations. Okocha thinks Bafana Bafana will still have the chance even if FIFA decide to deduct their points.
“If we fail to beat Zimbabwe and Lesotho in our yard, do we have business in the World Cup?
“No, it’s embarrassing. South Africa will play all the remaining games in their own land. You see, the 3-point deduction won’t hurt them. They have a big advantage,” Okocha said.
Imagine FIFA deducting three points from South Africa; they will lead Nigeria by three points and will have an advantage in their next games as they are due to play three matches in their backyard.
“If we want to qualify, we have to beat them and hope they lose another game. Yes, if they lose 2 games, maybe we can have a chance, but at the moment (nod his head), South Africa is in control mode; every team needs to travel to South Africa and take the number one spot from them,” – Okocha concluded.
Hugo Broos’ Bafana Bafana are comfortable leading the Group, and their competitors must quadruple their efforts to stand any chance of catching the.
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