Having clinched the African championship title three times, Nigeria’s Super Eagles face the prospect of missing consecutive FIFA World Cup tournaments for the first time since their inaugural appearance in 1994.
Joseph Yobo, former captain of Everton and the Super Eagles, expressed his deep disappointment over Nigeria’s precarious position in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers but remains hopeful that a remarkable turnaround is still possible if the team steps up, according to Soccernet.ng.
After failing to secure a spot in the 2022 World Cup held in Qatar, Nigeria now confronts a similar threat of exclusion from the upcoming tournament, which will be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
Currently, the Super Eagles trail Benin and South Africa by three points in Group C, with only two matches left: a clash with Lesotho on Friday followed by a decisive encounter against Benin on Tuesday.
Reflecting on Nigeria’s current struggles, Yobo recalled the disappointment of missing the 2006 World Cup, drawing a parallel with the present situation.
“It’s a painful feeling because we went through something similar,” Yobo shared with Brila FM.
“Our squad was young and talented, and missing out on the 2006 World Cup had a significant impact on our careers.”
“Coming off the 2002 World Cup, maintaining that momentum would have opened doors to bigger clubs for many of us. Missing that tournament was a major setback.”
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Yobo, who boasts 260 appearances for Everton, emphasized that the repercussions of missing the World Cup extend well beyond the players themselves.
“The World Cup represents the pinnacle of football,” Yobo explained.
“Its significance transcends the team; it influences the entire nation, the supporters, and even the economy. For Nigeria, a country where football is deeply ingrained in the culture, absence from the tournament is hard to comprehend and affects everyone.”
Yobo Urges Confidence and Accountability for Nigeria
Despite the daunting circumstances, Yobo refuses to lose faith. The captain who lifted the Africa Cup of Nations trophy in 2013 insists that a blend of belief and determination is essential for Nigeria to reverse their fortunes.
“We cannot afford to repeat these errors. I’m not entertaining the thought of missing out. I’m holding onto the hope that a miracle will occur, but first, we must do our part on the field.”
The team is currently stationed in Polokwane, South Africa, where coach Eric Chelle and his squad aim to secure maximum points against Lesotho.
Simultaneously, Nigeria will be relying on Benin to falter against Rwanda and South Africa to drop points versus Zimbabwe to keep their qualification hopes alive.
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