Super Eagles manager Eric Chelle has admitted that Nigeria's failure to secure crucial points during the 2026 World Cup qualifiers played a major role in their inability to reach the ongoing tournament in Canada, Mexico and the United States.
Nigeria missed out on top spot in Group C of the World Cup qualifiers, with South Africa’s Bafana Bafana finishing ahead of the three-time African champions by a solitary point.
However, the final standings could have looked very different had the Super Eagles held on to their lead against Zimbabwe in Uyo, where they conceded a 90th-minute equaliser in a 1-1 draw.
Nigeria had an opportunity to overtake Bafana Bafana but were once again held to a 1-1 draw by South Africa at the Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein.
The Super Eagles were forced to settle for a place in the African playoffs after a difficult qualifying campaign, before eventually losing to the Democratic Republic of Congo on penalties.
Reflecting on Nigeria's failure to qualify for the 2026 World Cup, Chelle admitted that the home draw against Zimbabwe alongside the dropped points against South Africa damaged the Super Eagles' chances.
Speaking to Algerian influencer Riadh Belaïche, he said: "I was appointed in January last year. When I arrived, Nigeria had three points out of 12, so we fought hard to try to qualify. Having reached the playoffs, we lost against the Democratic Republic of Congo. We lost on penalties; they deserved the victory.
"It's true that in some matches, like against Zimbabwe, we drew at home while the match was in our hands. In the end, these two dropped points hurt us a lot. We drew in South Africa.
"Of course, we are disappointed because we felt we had the ability to qualify for the World Cup."
Chelle recently ended speculation over his long-term future as Super Eagles coach by agreeing a new deal with the Nigeria Football Federation.
Ifeanyi Emmanuel
Discussions (0)