Ex-Nigerian forward Brown Ideye has openly expressed his disappointment regarding the Super Eagles‘ standing in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification race.
Nigeria is on the brink of missing out on a second straight World Cup appearance, currently positioned third in Group C, trailing group leaders Benin by four points with only two matches left to play.
The Super Eagles’ campaign has been hampered by underwhelming performances, including dropped points against Benin, Lesotho, and South Africa.
Now, Nigeria’s qualification hopes hinge on unfavorable results for both Benin and South Africa in their remaining fixtures, as the team no longer controls its destiny.
Brown Ideye Reflects on Nigeria’s World Cup Prospects
Before the upcoming matches, Ideye shared his frustration over the precarious situation the team finds itself in.
“It’s out of our hands now,” Ideye remarked on X. “We must win these last two games and hope South Africa slips up, which I find unlikely.”
He added, “Sometimes I wonder, how did we end up here?”
At this juncture, Nigeria’s route to the 2026 World Cup demands an almost improbable sequence of events. Although FIFA recently penalized South Africa for fielding an ineligible player, the ruling primarily benefited Benin, further complicating Nigeria’s chances.
For Nigeria to keep their World Cup dream alive, South Africa must earn no more than a single point from their remaining home matches against Zimbabwe and Rwanda-a scenario that appears highly improbable. Additionally, Benin must either lose or draw in their upcoming game against Rwanda.
Given the current standings, Nigerian supporters might have to wait until the 2030 World Cup to witness their team on football’s grandest stage once again.
The decisive final round of CAF World Cup qualifiers is scheduled for later this month, with Nigeria set to clash against Lesotho and Benin in their concluding fixtures.