Super Eagles goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali has warned Rwanda and South Africa that Nigeria will not give up hope on the team’s chances of qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Soccernet.ng reports.
Nwabali admits no opponent can be underrated but he insists there is still plenty to play for despite the Super Eagles’ underwhelming start to the campaign.
Nigeria, three-time African champions, are currently fourth in Group C after six qualifying matches, with just six points, having managed only one win, four draws, and one defeat.
Nigeria Super Eagles goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali
South Africa lead the group with 13 points, while Rwanda and Benin, both with eight points, sit above Nigeria (seven points)
With four fixtures remaining and 12 points still available, Nwabali believes the Super Eagles can still mount a late charge for a place at the global tournament, which will be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
“It’s football — being Nigeria doesn’t automatically mean we’ll beat everyone,” Nwabali told Soccernet.ng.
“We still have a good chance to qualify despite our current position. We’re focused on the next game, and we’ll keep pushing to turn things around.”
Nigeria and Chippa United goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali. Photo by IMAGO
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The Super Eagles must now shift their attention to a make-or-break September double-header — first hosting Rwanda before a tricky away trip to South Africa.
The former African champions will then face Lesotho away and Benin at home in October, rounding off what has been a tense qualification series.
Having missed out on the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, Nigeria are desperate to avoid back-to-back absences from the world stage. The Super Eagles have qualified for six of the last eight World Cups and famously reached the round of 16 in 1994, 1998, and 2014.