12th June, 2024
By Ijeoma Okigbo
Godwin Bamigboye, Chairman, FCT Football Coaches Association, has called on the Super Eagles to remain focused and improve on their performance to ensure a 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification.
Bamigboye said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on the backdrop of the team’s poor outing against South Africa, and Benin Republic in their Group C World Cup qualifiers.
He said the team had performed below par and will have to ensure they win their remaining six games for a spot at the global showpiece.
“Finidi George is on a hot seat. It is really a challenging situation to have picked up a measly three points in four games in a group that the team effortlessly scaled through.
“They have no sense of urgency or commitment in the games played so far, and the team cannot go on with such mentality if they hope to be at the World Cup.
“After all, they benefit more than any other person or group at the World Cup.
“ The tournament aids career progression for them, financial gains and more, so it is their duty to ensure that they remain focused and win their remaining games,’’ Bamigboye added.
Nigeria currently seats on fifth place in a group that also have South Africa, Benin Republic, Zimbabwe, Rwanda and Lesotho.
With the 2026 World Cup expanded to 48 teams, all group winners from the nine African qualifying groups will secure an automatic spot.
Meanwhile, the four best runners-up will enter playoffs (two semifinals and a final) to decide which one country will go to the intercontinental playoffs.
The World Cup is scheduled for June 2026 and will be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.