Super Eagles confident of 2026 World Cup ticket

The Super Eagles remain optimistic about their chances of qualifying for the 23rd FIFA World Cup, scheduled to run from June 11 to July 19, 2026. The tournament will be staged across 16 cities in three North American nations, with the United States as the primary host and Canada and Mexico serving as co-hosts. Ahead […]

The Super Eagles remain optimistic about their chances of qualifying for the 23rd FIFA World Cup, scheduled to run from June 11 to July 19, 2026.

The tournament will be staged across 16 cities in three North American nations, with the United States as the primary host and Canada and Mexico serving as co-hosts.

Ahead of today’s crucial qualifier against South Africa at the Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein, Fulham’s new signing Samuel Chukwueze acknowledged the quality of the Group C leaders but urged Nigerians to stand behind the team.

“South Africa is a strong team and they are first in the group. We are Nigerians and we have a good team and we can compete with them. By the grace of God, we will get a good result here.

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“We will be at the World Cup. It is 100% sure. We just need Nigerian support but it is up to us to make it as I believe we have the team to qualify,” he said.

Super Eagles goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali echoed that sentiment, stressing both respect for the opposition and belief in Nigeria’s strength.

“We have a strong squad to match any country. I don’t see them as a big country to us but we respect them, they are topping the group and doing well. It will be a tough game but we will come out strong.

“Every game has its own plans. You might be watching them against Lesotho, Zimbabwe and other teams but when it comes to Nigeria, it’s a different approach likewise other countries coming to play against Nigeria. Like I said, it will be a tough game and I feel we will win the game,” the Chippa United shot-stopper noted.

Nigeria sits third in Group C with 10 points, while leaders South Africa have 16. The last competitive meeting between both sides in Bloemfontein came during the 2019 AFCON qualifiers, where the Super Eagles secured a 2-1 away victory.

Since 2004, the two nations have clashed 13 times, with Nigeria winning six, South Africa managing just one victory, and six encounters ending in draws.

If they are to qualify for the 2026 World Cup, the Super Eagles must beat South Africa today, then defeat Lesotho and Benin in their last two games, while hoping South Africa drop points.