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Former Nigeria defender, Ben Iroha, says that although he is watching the ongoing FIFA World Cup 2026 finals taking place in Mexico, the USA and Canada, he is missing the unique flavour the Super Eagles would have brought to the tournament, Completesports.com reports.
Iroha spoke to Completesports.com from his Dallas, Texas, base on Sunday night, reflecting deeply on his participation in the 1994 FIFA World Cup in the United States.
Super Eagles’ World Cup Presence Still Missed In Dallas
“I didn’t know it was already 32 years since I played in the World Cup finals here in the United States of America,” Iroha, a left-back during his playing days, began.
“That was in 1994, the year the Nigeria Super Eagles first participated in the FIFA World Cup finals.
“I recall the atmosphere when the Mexicans and Black Americans flooded the stadium, waving the Nigerian green-white-green flag, rooting for us and making the atmosphere electrifying, as if we were playing in Lagos.
Also Read: Super Eagles: Missed At The World Cup! — Odegbami
“I loved the atmosphere and the country so much that, after the World Cup, I told my wife, ‘Look, this is the place for us to live in.’ I don’t even realise that 32 years have gone by since then, thanks to this 2026 World Cup, which has reminded me.”
Iroha went on to say that although he has enjoyed the games so far while watching from his television screen in the company of his children, there appears to be a lack of Nigerian flavour at the tournament.
“I’ve not really gone out to the stadium yet, but I’ve been watching the games on television with my children. There is, no doubt, a lack of that ‘flavour’ the Super Eagles always bring to the World Cup.
“Those of us Nigerians here in Dallas had planned an elaborate welcome and support base for the Super Eagles during the World Cup but, unfortunately, Nigeria didn’t qualify.
Memories Of USA ’94 World Cup
“You know, I’ve not seen any of my Super Eagles teammates from the 1994 World Cup who are living here in the USA. If there are any, I’m yet to know. I had thought Austin Jay-Jay Okocha would be here during this World Cup, but I’m yet to see or hear from him.
“I hope to start going to the stadium to watch the games live from the quarter-finals through to the semi-finals of the competition.”
Also Read: If We Trust Chelle He’ll Qualify Us For Next World Cup — Ex-Super Eagles Star
Asked for his thoughts on the 1994 tournament and the current edition of the FIFA World Cup finals, Iroha responded that the World Cup remains the biggest stage in global football but added that there were more star players then than now.
Comparing The Stars Of 1994 And 2026
“Every World Cup brings different feelings and performers. During the 1994 edition, we had many big-name players like Diego Maradona, Hristo Stoichkov and Roberto Baggio, among others.
“Now, we have, perhaps, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. But I don’t think this has any effect on the quality of play we have seen so far in the games played and, perhaps, those still to be played.”
Iroha disclosed that he would not stand in the way of any of his children, whether boy or girl, pursuing football or any other sport.
“My son, Benedict Junior, was into basketball. He even played in Denmark before opting out. I can’t stop any of them, boy or girl, from taking up football or any other sport.”
Super Eagles Could Have Qualified Under Chelle, Says Iroha
The 56-year-old Iroha said it was painful that the Super Eagles failed to qualify for the 2026 Mundial, emphasising that perhaps Nigeria would have secured qualification if coach Eric Sekou Chelle had been appointed earlier.
“It’s painful, very difficult to take, but that’s football for you. I think we didn’t show enough seriousness from the start of the qualifiers. Looking at the performance of the team under Coach Chelle, maybe the team would have been at the World Cup if he had been engaged earlier,” Iroha submitted.
4 Comments
They were busy on strike during the play off instead of training. Now Mbappe and Messi are crazy chasing world records and competing.
Senegal and Belgium are struggling because they have more old men than necessary in their teams.
I hope Chelle is watching so that he can quickly ease out the football age old men from eagles now before 2030 qualifiers.
I don’t know if the “FIFA world cup centenary” projections for 2030 are true (64 teams).
He should sha comb the globe for younger players now.
2 opportunities have been given already to the current set to qualify or 8 years to do something with the national team and they failed miserably.
Time to cut them out. No third chances
One thing I love about this world cup is the battle for the Golden Boot.
The world’s deadliest marksmen are going at it! After just 2 games, Messi has 5 goals, Mbappe has 4, Haaland has 4, and you know Kane is going to add to the 2 he has from England’s first game.
Then you have the likes of Balogun, Jonathan David and Denis Undav with 3 goals.
While some pipo are more interested in match bonus, others are creating history and cementing their legacy on the pitch.
It will take time for fans to forgive this present eagles sha. Afcon they can’t win, world cup they can’t qualify.
What exactly are they going to be remembered for.
That team that prosecuted our 2002 world cup will rise up on the day of judgement and condem this present eagles team because the were assembles few month to world cup and yet came up against Argentina, England and Sweden, those country had terrific squad and yet they manage to get one point.
The team that prosecuted our afcon 1990 will condem out present eagles because the then eagles was disbanded by the then general of state Babaginda and another team were hurriedly put together even lost their first game but still made it to final where they lost again to Algeria host nation.
These players should aske themselves honest question about their achievemt with eagles.
Ndidi
Iwobi
Akong
Chukwueze
Ajayi
Simon
Kelechi
Sanusi and Osihme too.
What will you guys be remember for?
Wiked generation.