Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle has declared that Nigeria will shock critics in the remaining four matches of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, despite being written off in Group C.
The tournament will be staged in the USA, Canada, and Mexico.
After six rounds of games, Nigeria sit fourth in the group with seven points—six adrift of leaders South Africa, who top the table with 13 points.
Chelle, who took charge midway through the campaign, has overseen two games so far: a 2-0 victory away to Rwanda in Kigali and a 1-1 home draw against Zimbabwe in Uyo last March. His predecessors, José Peseiro and Finidi George, each managed two matches without registering a win.
Admitting that Nigeria’s chances look slim, Chelle insisted he remains optimistic.
“People have already written us off, but I’m not bothered by that,” he told UK-based Nigerian journalist Osasu Obayiuwana during the 2024 CHAN tournament in Tanzania. “I’m focused on preparing my players for the remaining matches. I believe we’re going to surprise a lot of people.”
The Super Eagles will regroup in Uyo on September 1 ahead of their next fixtures—at home to Rwanda on September 6, followed by an away clash against South Africa in Bloemfontein three days later.
Their final group games are against Lesotho (away) and Benin Republic (home) in October.
Nigeria currently trail Rwanda and Benin by a point, but all three teams are keeping a close eye on South Africa’s case at FIFA, with hopes that Bafana Bafana could forfeit three points for fielding an ineligible player in their 2-0 win over Lesotho in March.
