Super Eagles' 2026 World Cup Hopes Still Alive, Says Ex-Nigeria Player

• Nduka Ugbade believes that the Super Eagles can still qualify for the 2026 World Cup if they win their remaining games
• Nigeria risks failing to qualify for the FIFA World Cup after failing to win any of their four games in the qualifying series
• The Super Eagles are presently second from bottom in Group C with only three points from their opening four encounters

Nduka Ugbade has stated that Nigeria’s chances of qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup are slim but admitted that anything can still happen after the Super Eagles' terrible start in the qualifiers.

The West African giants drew three consecutive games against Zimbabwe, Lesotho, and South Africa, before losing to Benin to derail their hopes of reaching football’s biggest international competition.

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According to Complete Sports, Ugbade is optimistic the Super Eagles can still pick up a World Cup ticket and all the team needs to do is win their remaining games in the qualifying series.

"The chances for our qualification for the 2026 World Cup are very slim but, in every difficulty, Nigeria always finds a way to do something.

"The only chance we have is to win all our matches, both home and away, against Lesotho, Rwanda, and especially South Africa," he added.

The Super Eagles are placed fifth in Group C in the World Cup qualifiers with three points, four points behind group leaders Rwanda, South Africa, and Benin, who all have seven points each.

Shame for Nigeria not to qualify

Meanwhile, ex-Super Eagles coach, Gernot Rohr has stated it would be shameful for Nigeria to miss out on a second consecutive World Cup following their poor start in the qualifiers, Daily Post reports.

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The German, who was coach of the three-time African champions when they failed to qualify for the 2022 edition in Qatar, masterminded Benin’s 2-1 victory over Nigeria in the 2026 qualifiers.

The Super Eagles are presently searching for a third coach to take charge of the team in the qualifiers after starting with Jose Peseiro and then moving to Finidi George before his resignation.

Adepoju wants Super Eagles job

Earlier, Sports Brief also reported that ex-Nigeria footballer, Mutiu Adepoju, is open to coaching the Super Eagles.

Finidi's resignation earlier this month has left the Nigerian men's national football team without a coach in charge.

The NFF previously indicated that an expatriate would be hired to manage the squad as they struggle for results.