2026 World Cup: End of the Road for Super Eagles

 


The Super Eagles of Nigeria are effectively out of the 2026 World Cup to be jointly hosted by three countries for the first time in history. Japan and Korea co-hosted for the first time in 2002 and the trend has continued from then.

But this would be the first time three countries would host the world cup. Mexico, USA and Canada- all in North America - will host the event in the summer of next year. And also, 48 nations would be represented at the global showpiece in 16 host cities.

When the draws were made for the African qualifiers,  I had my fears about Nigeria. We were drawn in a relatively "cheap" group with Rwanda, Lesotho, Benin, South Africa and Zimbabwe. What a soft group, one would say. But we have found a way to bungle it. Africa has nine + 1 slot but Nigeria would not be there.

We narrowly missed the previous edition in 2022 held in Qatar. This was despite the boast of the erstwhile NFF President that Ghana would suffer for it int he final qualifiers. Nigeria had a bi-lateral relations with Qatar and must be there. Amaju Pinnick was quoted as saying. The rest is history.

Back to 2026 qualifiers, the nonchallant NFF did nothing right from coaches selection to players and every other thing. One, Jose Peseiro started the qualifiers with two draws against Lesotho at home and Zimbabwe away.. That was the beginning of failure. Peseiro got fired and Finidi George took charge as Nigeria drew their next  match at home against South Africa and lost to Benin away. Incidentally, Benin played in Cote D'Ivoire as AFIFA did not approve their stadiums at home. Nigeria failed to take advantage.

Finidi wasn't the first choice of Nigerian football fans who preferred Emmanuel Amuneke. But the most laughable of this was the appointment of Malian coach Eric Chelle. He had no proven track record and was hired for s hefty sum of 70k dollars per  month. Finidi did two months with 15 million naira. Chelle is expected to pay his assistants from it. But what has the guy brought to the country but lethargic display by the players? He's played four matches with two drab wins and two draws. All matches were winnable.

With the latest draw against South Africa on Tuesday in Bloemfontein,  the Super Eagles would require an uncommon miracle to qualify. Benin also mvoed ahead with a 4-0 rout of Lesotho. As it stands in Group C South Africa 17, Benin 14, Nigeria 11, Rwanda 11, ....... 


With two rounds of marches left, Nigeria should simply commence preparations for the 2030 World Cup and also fire Chelle after the qualifiers. He has nothing much to offer  the team.

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