(DDM) – Nigeria’s Super Eagles head coach, Eric Chelle, has vowed that his team will not give up on their 2026 FIFA World Cup dream despite dropping vital points in a tense qualifier against South Africa.
Diaspora Digital Media (DDM) gathered that the three-time African champions were forced to a 1-1 draw by Bafana Bafana in Bloemfontein on Tuesday night, a result that complicated their path to North America 2026.
The Super Eagles now sit in third place in Group B with 11 points from eight matches, trailing behind rivals who have capitalized on Nigeria’s inconsistency.
Chelle, who only recently took over the national team, admitted the situation is precarious but insisted his players would continue fighting until the last whistle of the qualifiers.
He praised his squad’s professionalism, stressing that they still had the hunger to push for maximum points in their final two fixtures.
Nigeria must now defeat Lesotho away and overcome the Squirrels of Benin Republic at home to keep any hope of World Cup qualification alive.
According to Chelle, the technical team will first review the team’s performance against South Africa before preparing strategies for the crucial fixtures.
He admitted that such analysis would not be easy given the weight of expectations and the frustrations from the draw in Bloemfontein.
Nigeria’s goal-scoring struggles have become a recurring problem, with the Eagles failing to convert dominance into wins in key matches.
Critics argue that the draw against South Africa is another missed opportunity that could eventually cost Nigeria their World Cup ticket.
The Eagles have now recorded several draws in the campaign, dropping points that could have placed them in a commanding position in the group.
Fans are growing increasingly restless, remembering that Nigeria failed to qualify for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar after a disappointing playoff exit against Ghana.
For many supporters, another failure would be unthinkable for a football nation with Nigeria’s pedigree, history, and talent pool.
The Super Eagles last qualified for the World Cup in 2018, where they were eliminated in the group stage in Russia.
Nigeria has appeared in six of the last seven editions of the tournament, becoming one of Africa’s most consistent representatives on the global stage.
This history, observers note, makes the current qualification struggle even more painful for fans who expect regular World Cup participation.
The clash in Bloemfontein was physically demanding, with South Africa putting up a spirited fight to frustrate Nigeria’s attacking rhythm.
Though Chelle admitted disappointment, he reminded Nigerians that “a lot can happen over the next one month” in the group.
He urged supporters to keep faith with the team, stressing that the final two games would decide their fate.
Lesotho, Nigeria’s next opponents, have proven stubborn in the qualifiers, and Chelle’s men will need sharp finishing and defensive discipline.
The final showdown against Benin Republic, led by former Nigeria coach Gernot Rohr, is expected to be politically charged and fiercely competitive.
Analysts warn that any slip in either match will almost certainly end Nigeria’s 2026 World Cup hopes.
For now, the Super Eagles face an uphill battle, with little margin for error and immense pressure from millions of passionate fans.
But Chelle remains defiant, promising that his team will keep pushing until the last ball is kicked in the qualifiers.
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