As the Super Eagles get set to open camp this Monday in Uyo, ahead of their next two matches in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, an ex-international defender, Abiodun Obafemi, has warned the players that their clash away to South Africa will be a ‘big battle.’
Sports247 reports that the Eagles will first play at home versus Rwanda this Saturday at Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo, which is a reverse fixture of a first-leg tie that Nigeria won 2-0 in Kigali, then take on South Africa on September 9th in Bloemfontein.
However, while warning that the Eagles cannot afford to take both games with kid gloves, Obafemi expressed a high level of confidence that Nigeria will eventually qualify for next year’s Mundial, especially as he believes the players will rise to the challenge once they are written off.
He theorised, “It’s too early to rule out our chances of qualifying. We should know by now that the typical Nigerian shines when nobody expects them to.
“That’s when you’ll see the best of these players. Let’s also remember that football is a funny game, and I know that this present crop of players knows what it takes to get there.”
He concluded with a verdict that the zeal to make Nigerians happy and improve their individual careers would be strong factors motivating the players to win both upcoming games, in order to revive their qualification chances.
“It’s not only for Nigerians, but mostly for themselves. They’ll be doing themselves a lot of favours as well, because it would add to their profiles if they qualify.
“So, I believe we still have a chance, honestly. However, the only match that I know will be a big battle for the players is our game away to South Africa,” Obafemi noted
