Former Nigeria defender Ben Iroha has exclusively told Completesports.com that the Super Eagles still have a bright chance of qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup finals in Mexico, Canada, and the USA, despite their disappointing 1-1 draw with Zimbabwe on Tuesday in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.
The former Vitesse Arnhem wing-back also highlighted striker Victor Osimhen’s visible frustration and anger after the game as a testament to his patriotism and commitment to Nigeria’s quest for a seventh FIFA World Cup appearance.
Also Read: 2026 WCQ: ‘Super Eagles’ 2026 World Cup Fate No Longer in Their Hands’ —Okpala
Osimhen, who had put the Super Eagles ahead in the 74th minute, was substituted late in the game due to cramp. Shortly after, Zimbabwe equalised. Video footage showed Osimhen storming off in frustration, refusing to entertain entreaties from teammates and officials.
“That’s patriotism. That’s commitment from a player who gave more than 100 per cent to ensure the Super Eagles secured a win to boost their World Cup qualification hopes,” Iroha told Completesports.com from his base in Texas, USA, on Saturday evening.
“That’s the hallmark of dedication. Osimhen has shown he is a world-class player in the two games he has played so far. If he had been with the team from the start, the Super Eagles would likely be in a much stronger position in the group.”
Following the draw, many have written off Nigeria’s chances of reaching the 2026 World Cup, but Iroha remains optimistic, insisting that the Super Eagles can still navigate their way through.
“I don’t think there’s anything to be overly worried about. Yes, the result was disappointing, but let’s remember our qualification struggles in 1994. Against all odds, we secured a crucial result in Algeria to qualify,” he said.
Also Read: When The gods Deserted The Super Eagles! –Odegbami
“The Super Eagles still have a chance. South Africa, Benin, and Rwanda could slip up. There are still four matches left, and anything can happen. The team just needs to stay focused and work harder. At worst, they could still qualify via the play-offs. All hope is not lost.”
When asked about South Africa potentially facing FIFA sanctions for fielding an ineligible player against Lesotho, Iroha maintained that Nigeria’s qualification should not depend on external factors.
“If South Africa breached the rules, they should face the consequences. But I believe the Super Eagles can still qualify for the World Cup, with or without a points deduction for South Africa,” he concluded.
By Sab Osuji
8 Comments
orban & Onyedika ought to have been invited..this is a player touted to be one of the best dribblers in the world and at this stage where teams park the bus to contain Osihmen the Eagles need such players. Onyeka is also fitter and better than Ndidi in terms of closing spaces in the midfield.. Meanwhile, its time to move on without Ekong. That mistake was too cheap and childish. It seems the Saudi league is taking a toll on him.
This is true. Orban and Onyedika are far better.
It’s true also orban and onyedika are better
But you are right. This true is?
OnyeOrban and Dika are not far at all. Only 1 stone is better than 2 Bird in The Bush.
Stan Willoughby who is Geriatrtric but He Woke Up Still
This is True.
But you are right. This true is?
OrbanOnye and DikaOrban are not far at all. Only 1 stone is better than 3 in The Bush.
You are right. Is it true that Orban and Onyedika are better?
I agreed we need Orban and this guy that held our midfield during nation’s cup , he plays now in German. This guy was our best player at the nation cup he was superb at our midfield, shielding every space , he doesn’t get tired suddenly when Ndidi came back he was relegated and never saw the day light again. I think there are some insiders selling fake personalities to our new coach to start using players that are finished . Chelle now should be wiser and start to call players that are strong and willing to die for us on the field. Retire players like Ekong, Ndidi, Chukwe, Aribo and by the way why was Aribo recalled when he would be played in the two games.
My greatest joy is Arokodare that guy is Osime in the making , very strong mobile and agile , that’s what we need . God bless Osimhen for us otherwise , we won’t have won that match in Rwanda .
The day we start doing things right that is when real change will happen. If the NFF succeed in bungling the world cup ticket , they will miss out on the windfall of millions of dollars for qualification. Fans like me want the country to do well.
Let us stop all this politics and sentiments that is apparently destroying the team. I have said it before and it is becoming true today that the super eagles may never reach the heights of the 94 set . Not because the talent is not there but because we do not select deserving players.
Case in point is the captain Stephen keshi at the USA 94 world cup was benched for Chidi Nwanu who was better at the time. Do you know the boldness a coach must have to drop the big boss at the time? Keshi too when he became coach performed the same trick enroute to afcon glory by benching Joseph yobo who was captain for obabona and little known omeruo at the time. Now the merchant’s at NFF have taken over the team and Ekong is still fielded when it is clear he is not close to being our best central defender. If you watch the game against Zimbabwe again , you will see that Ekong was a time bomb waiting to detonate. There were times in the 1st half where he was left for dead and thanks to the goal keeper and the lack of composure of the Zimbabwean striker.
Chelle should hire a Nigerian as chief scout on his own payroll that will do his scouting for him. Rohr achieved considerable success with adelakun. If he continues to rely on the Eguavoen led technical committee then failure is waiting patiently ahead. Imagine Eguavoen talking up Iheanacho before the final list was picked. Some wicked folks were talking up musa Ahmed in 2025, chai!
Orban, chukwuemeka, Noah adedeji should be allowed to slug it out for the No. 10 position, The box to box role in midfield should be ferociously competed for by Chrisantus uche and Fisayo dele Bashiru. In fact, I will take both if you ask me . In defensive midfield , I will go for the trio, Ndidi, Onyedika and Frank onyeka. If Chelle wants to achieve success, he needs to be his own man, particularly for the afcon.