Former minister of sports, Chief Sunday Dare has come out with a bold declaration that the Super Esgles will qualify for next year’s FIFA World Cup by winning all their remaining matches in the qualifiers.
Sports247 reports that the Eagles have home games against Rwanda and Benin Republic as well as away fixtures with Lesotho and South Africa to wrap up the qualification race in Group B, but many Nigerians are already skeptical of a second straight absence from the Mundial looming large for their beloved national team.
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This high level of trepidation is buoyed by the fact that South Africa are already ten points ahead of Nigeria and could edge the ticket on head-to-head rule, haven drawn with Nigeria in Uyo earlier during the qualification race, which has been turbulent so far for the Eagles.
However, despite all indices pointing in the direction of Nigeria missing out on a ticket to the 2026 World Cup, which will be co-hosted by USA, Canada and Mexico, Dare insists the Eagles will make it by winning their remaining matches home and away.
Dare, who is now a special adviser on media to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, stressed: “Even South Africa can not take it to the bank right now that they’ve qualified. So, I believe we’re going to qualify. We’re going to win the remaining four matches. I can assure you.”
The media guru and former minister then provided factors that make him so sure of Nigeria’s qualification for the next Mundial, with a view that the appointment of Franco-Malian tactician, Eric Chelle and availability of many star players will turn the tide in Nigeria’s favour when the qualifiers resume in September.
“We have the stars; we have what it takes. You just wait and see. We have a new coach. He’s found almost 79 solid players, both home and abroad. Talented Nigerian players, and he’s working with them. So, I think we have what it takes to win all our remaining matches and qualify,” Dare assured emphatically.
