Fans will again get behind the Super Eagles in this month’s World Cup qualifiers, cheering in the hopes that they achieve climax against both Rwanda and South Africa to bolster their chances of reaching the finals — but a big question nobody wants to be asked is if it’ll be much of a surprise should the team fail to secure the much coveted ticket?
Since their first-ever FIFA World Cup finals appearance in USA 1994, Nigeria has not missed out in back-to-back tournaments, with their only two absences coming in 2006 and in the most recent edition in 2022.
Ahead of the next edition, favourites have positioned themselves strongly on the qualification standings with more than half of the games gone, but Nigerians continue to cling to a fleeting hope that the Super Eagles can stage a comeback from their current fourth place in Group C.
Progressing from a group that includes teams regarded as minors, alongside the most expensive squad in Africa, should pose no problem, and it once seemed inevitable despite their poor start to the qualifiers.
But after Tawanda Chirewa went through the Super Eagles’ defence in the final minute of normal time to restore parity for Zimbabwe during a qualifying game in March, a wave of concern went down the spine of those familiar with history — that what looms may become inevitable.
Prior to kickoff, The Warriors had lost their most recent away game to Cameroon in the final round of AFCON qualifiers. But with qualification for the World Cup still a possibility, even with just three points from five games, they never gave up in Uyo.
Their inspired performance was a source of heartbreak for Nigerians, but it should also be a lesson for the contingent — that everyone who has a right to it wants it no less.
With just four games to the end of the qualifiers, Eric Chelle’s team is positioned fourth — seven points behind runaway leaders South Africa, whom they face in their final game of this break, and one behind both Rwanda and Benin, the former arriving in Uyo to do battle on Saturday.
It is down to the finals, and the fans who have in recent times had nothing but the run to the last AFCON finals to cheer from the Eagles deserve better. And better will be winning their next two games to give themselves a good chance of reaching North America 2026.
Super Eagles | The South & East Central Want it No Less
South Africa and East Central Rwanda are currently in pole position in Group C, and whomever the odds favour, it would not be theirs to care. The journey began equally, and they have proven good enough to land in their current positions.
There have been shocking results recently in Africa, probably because the heavyweights felt the sense of arrogance about their chances. But the underdogs have drawn strength from this, and have started writing their own story.
In the most recent AFCON tournament, the Super Eagles finished second in their group behind Equatorial Guinea, who are 49 places below them in the FIFA ranking, and in the same group were eventual winners Ivory Coast, who could only qualify as one of the best third-placed teams.
But the surprise was not limited to Group A; it extended to the majority of the others. In Group B, Cape Verde finished four points ahead of second-place record champions Egypt, who were then bundled out as early as the round of 16 by Congo DR.
Angola finished top of Group D ahead of Algeria, eliminated from the group despite being the highest ranked, and Burkina Faso, who finished second, three points behind the winners.
Tunisia, the highest ranked in Group E, finished bottom with just two points, while the other three members — Mali, South Africa, and Namibia — all made it to the next round.
The point is that teams in Africa have progressed from thinking less of themselves against any opposition. The more these countries invest in the sport, the better they feel their chances will get.
Upcoming Fixtures and Consequences
For Nigeria, who could surpass their second-longest drought of winning the AFCON tournament if they fail to conquer in Morocco later in the year, the pressure of losing their built reputation weighs heavy on the current crop.
Yet not in desperation will they reclaim their fading identity, but by playing with commitment to the cause — not just from a section of the players, but collectively.
In an era where a good percentage of Nigerians are invested in the sport and give so much support to the players, majorly on social media, providing them recognition that makes even football clubs want them — sometimes just so they could also be engaged by the enormous Nigerian fanbase — the fans also deserve some ransom.
And there will be no better payment than securing the World Cup ticket, which, as of now, judging by the reality, is far-fetched because three other teams have proven to want it more. But with all still to be fought for, the Super Eagles must rise to the occasion.
Upcoming Fixtures and Consequences
The Super Eagles take on the Warriors of Rwanda at the Nest of Champions in Uyo on 6 September, before traveling to Bloemfontein in South Africa, where they tackle Bafana Bafana on Tuesday.
Should the Super Eagles win both fixtures, it’ll take them to 13 points, which would at least move them up to third and make it easier to clinch second place — if they can better the results of both Rwanda and Benin in the final break.
However, failure to beat Rwanda, for instance, will hamper their chances while also reducing confidence heading out to face the current group leaders South Africa on hostile ground.
These are must-win games for Eric Chelle and his minions, and there will be no consolation but the acceptance of disappointment — another historical letdown, never before seen in Nigeria’s history, if they fail.
Head to Head
Nigeria vs. Rwanda
Against Rwanda, Nigeria has lost just once in eight meetings, with the defeat coming in the Warriors’ most recent visit to Nigeria.
Nigeria has won three and drawn four of their eight meetings with Rwanda, winning two and conceding only once in their first six encounters between June 2004 and September 2024.
Nigeria vs. South Africa
Nigeria has won eight of their 16 meetings with South Africa, drawing six and losing just two.
Nigeria are unbeaten in five FIFA World Cup qualifying meetings with South Africa, winning three and drawing two.
Nigeria has faced South Africa a combined eleven times in both major tournament qualifications (World Cup and AFCON) and have never lost, winning five.
The Super Eagles are unbeaten in their last five away games with South Africa, winning two and drawing all of the last three.
Conclusion
The Super Eagles stand at a crossroads where history demands resolve, not entitlement. Nigerians long for the joy of a World Cup return, but so do rivals from the South, East Central, and even West African neighbors like Benin.
And maybe only Nigerians, not even all, will be shocked if the Super Eagles fail to qualify for the FIFA World Cup, because neutrals can already see that the commitment of the current crop pales in comparison to the reputation built by the past.
It is up to the players and coaching staff to deliver, just as the Super Falcons did when doubted on their Mission X adventure, where they defeated all the other favourites to prove that they’re not only fierce in name, but in abilities.
The ticket is no birthright of any nation, it is to be earned with. Victory in the coming games will revive memories of the golden days, but failure will plunge the nation into its darkest football chapter.
The choice is theirs (Super Eagles)—to rise and reclaim glory, or to be remembered for presiding over Nigeria’s lowest of lows. It’ll not be easy, because everyone will fight just as hard, but that’s why they are Super Eagles, and they have to make that name count.
Kehinde-Hassan Afolabi
