Former Nigerian Etim Esin has warned that South Africa and Rwanda will be a tough knot to crack for the Super Eagles in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.
Recall that Nigeria has managed just two points from two games after playing Lesotho and Zimbabwe respectively.
Currently, Rwanda top Group C on four points while South Africa sit second on three points. Nigeria, Lesotho and Zimbabwe share two points apiece.
With the Super Eagles next to face South Africa and Rwanda, Esin in a chat with Completesports.com stated that the team will find it difficult to overcome these teams.
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“I am really worried with the position of the Super Eagles in the Group C of the qualifiers. In fact their last game against Zimbabwe, the team played as if they don’t want to play at the World Cup.
“Facing teams like Rwanda and South Africa will be a tough nut to crack for the Super Eagles considering how they have started their campaign.”
Nigeria has been to six World Cups, but failed to qualify for the last edition in Qatar in 2022.
The 63-year-old Portuguese will likely come under pressure again, despite Nigeria’s chances of qualifying this time around being boosted by the expansion of the tournament from 32 to 48 teams starting in 2026 in the United States, Mexico and Canada.
Nine teams from Africa will qualify directly, and a 10th team could make the field through an inter-continental playoff.
By Augustine Akhilomen
1 Comment
So teams like Lesotho, Benin and Zimbabwe will be very easy for Nigeria. Is that what you are saying?