Hot SourceDuro Ikhazuagbe
Nigeria defender, Bright Osayi-Samuel, believes that it is not over yet for the Super Eagles to still qualify for the 2026 World Cup despite trailing group leaders South Africa by six points.
Speaking yesterday in Benin City, the former Fenerbahce defender said Nigeria can still pick the group’s sole ticket if the three -time African champios win all their remaining games.
South Africa have a case in FIFA over the fielding of an ineligible player against Lesotho and risk losing three points and three goals. Should that happens, the gap at the top will narrow to just three points.
According to Osayi-Samuel, the road to the ticket is rough but it is not beyond Super Eagles reach.
“In terms of Super Eagles qualifiers, I believe we will qualify for the Word Cup. The aim is just to win every single game.
“Of course, it will be difficult, but for us and the team, I think we have a good chance,” observed the Edo-born defender whose switch from Fenerbahce to Besiktas was reported to have collapsed at the weekend.
He described the team’s Franco-Mali coach Eric Chelle as a fantastic gaffer who is very capable and qualified to lead Nigeria to the World Cup.
Osayi-Samuel was particularly impressed by the game plan adopted by Chelle in curtailing Russia during the last FIFA window.
“For me, the coach (Chelle) is fantastic. The way he wants us to press and run; I think everyone in the team has aligned with his ideas.
“In our last game against Russia, we gained upper hand against a team that hadn’t lost in six or seven matches. If we keep working together, we have a good chance,” the defender said.
The three-time African champions, Super Eagles, currently find themselves in a precarious position in their qualifying group, sitting in fourth place and trailing leaders South Africa by six points.
With only four matches left to play, the pressure is mounting for the Eagles to deliver a stellar performance to enhance their chances of qualification for the World Cup to be jointly hosted by USA, Canada and Mexico.
