2026 World Cup Qualifiers: Legendary Jay Jay Okocha Fires Warning to Super Eagles

• Jay Jay Okocha has suggested that South Africa would be a tough opponent for Nigeria in the World Cup qualifiers
• Both nations will battle Lesotho, Zimbabwe, Benin and Rwanda for Group C’s sole ticket to the Mundial
• According to the Nigerian legend, Bafana Bafana are about the strongest side in the group

Former Nigerian international Jay Jay Okocha has warned that South Africa are a big threat to the Super Eagles World Cup qualification chances.

Nigeria will battle South Africa, Lesotho, Zimbabwe, Benin and Rwanda for Group C’s sole ticket in the qualifying series.

The Confederation of African Football conducted the draws at their Ordinary General Assembly in Ivory Coast on Thursday, July 13.

Okocha, who also featured at the World Cup, disclosed that the Eagles must be careful of the Bafana Bafana.

The former PSG player, who was among the legends that graced the draw in Abidjan, said, as per Punch:

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“Aside the Eagles, Bafana are about the strongest team in that group and we (Eagles) must be very careful when we play them.

“We have not had it easy against them recently. Morocco showed that an African country could win the World Cup. We must follow the example of Morocco.”

The qualifying series will begin in November this year, with the other eight games to be spread between 2024 and 2025.

While Nigeria have managed to reach the second round of the Mundial on three occasions, the Atlas Lions of Morocco surprisingly reached the semi-final of the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.

Cameroon, Senegal and Ghana are other African teams that have reached the quarter-final of the competition in the past.

Hugo Broos tips South Africa for World Cup ticket

Sports Brief earlier reported that Hugo Broos, the coach of the South African national senior men's team, has stated emphatically that his wards are good enough to qualify for the 2026 World Cup following the draws.

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The Bafana Bafana are yet to feature in the World Cup since they hosted the prestigious tournament in 2010, missing the 2014, 2018, and 2022 World Cup tournaments.

Hugo Broos explained that his players can beat all the opponents in their group.