Former Super Eagles’ defender, Abiodun Obafemi has opined that the biggest reason why Nigeria has struggled to book a ticket to the 2026 FIFA World Cup is because the country’s players see themselves as ‘big boys’ who don’t have to put in much effort to get what they need.
Sports247 reports that the former Fortuna Dusseldorf and Ausburg of Germany centre back, who also played for FC Toulouse of France at the height of his career, reasoned that Nigeria would have qualified easily for next year’s Mundial had all the players been truly committed to the task.
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He, however, added that Nigeria now has a lifeline from the recent three-point deduction FIFA handed South Africa for using an inelligible player, but also stressed that the Eagles have to ensure they win their last two games of the qualifiers.
Obafemi, who was discovered while playing for Stationary Stores FC of Lagos, averred: “It’s a lifeline FIFA has given us and on a platter of gold. We can’t afford to falter, and we can’t afford to drop points any longer.
“We need to win the remaining two matches and see where fate would lead us. Fate, though, is no longer in our hands. We just need to win these two matches, then pray that South Africa and Benin will falter.”
He then reflected on the chain of defects that led Nigeria into a tight spot, whereby the Super Eagles are already on the brink of not qualifying to play at the World Cup for the second straight edition.
Obafemi lamented, “It’s unfortunate, but this is where we find ourselves, and we are helpless. I just pray that the boys see it the way Nigerians see it.
“That would help them overcome their inability to raise their game when it’s required. I see no reason why players of other countries will have more desire than our boys.”
The soft-spoken ex-stopper, who was part of Nigeria’s under-23 squad that won the Olympic Games’ football event at Atlanta ’96, concluded by pointing out that many of the current Eagles’ players might not be able to feature at the World Cup ever in their careers because age is no longer on their side.
“They see themselves as big boys and forgot to know that this is a chance in a lifetime for them. They are no longer getting younger and, if they miss this World Cup, it might be their last chance to participate in it,” Obafemi posited.
Sports247 notes that the coming couple of weeks will be very decisive for the Eagles, as they will play away to Lesotho on Friday and host Benin Republic the following Tuesday.
However, victory in both games might just be good enough for a runners-up spot and entry into the play-off round, as South Africa would pick the group’s lone ticket should they defeat ‘hosts’ Zimbabwe and visiting Rwanda on their home soil.
