Victor Ikpeba, a former Nigerian international footballer, has attributed the Super Eagles‘ failure to secure direct qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup primarily to their sluggish start in the qualifiers.
The Super Eagles struggled at the outset of their Group C campaign, managing only three points from their first four matches.
This poor run included three consecutive draws, followed by a damaging defeat on the road against Benin, which left Nigeria with a considerable gap to close in the standings.
Although the team staged an impressive recovery in the latter stages of the qualifiers, their late surge was only enough to secure a playoff berth as one of the highest-ranked second-place finishers.
Ikpeba Reflects on Super Eagles’ Setbacks
Reflecting on the qualifiers, Ikpeba highlighted the team’s early poor performances and the instability in coaching as pivotal factors behind their struggles.
“The sluggish beginning was our biggest obstacle. We failed to secure a win against Lesotho at home, settled for a draw in Zimbabwe, and suffered a defeat to Benin. Our form during that phase was disappointing,” Ikpeba remarked during a SuperSport interview.
He further added, “The departure of our initial coach and the arrival of Finidi created some disorder within the team. That period was marked by confusion, and that’s where things went wrong.”
The emphatic 4-0 victory over Benin Republic in their final qualifier secured Nigeria’s place in the playoffs, keeping their World Cup dreams alive.
Looking ahead, the Super Eagles are set to clash with Gabon in a World Cup playoff semifinal this November, with the winner advancing to the intercontinental playoff stage.