Former Super Eagles captain John Mikel Obi has expressed strong confidence that Nigeria can still secure qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, despite their challenging position in the Group C standings.
The Nigerian side, currently managed by Eric Chelle, sits third in the group with 11 points from eight matches, trailing both Benin Republic and South Africa by three points. With just two qualifying games remaining, the Super Eagles must win both fixtures to keep their World Cup hopes alive.
Nigeria will face Lesotho and Benin Republic in their final matches—a crucial test that will determine their fate on the road to the World Cup to be hosted in the USA, Mexico, and Canada.
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Speaking on his Obione Podcast, the 38-year-old former Chelsea midfielder emphasized that it would be devastating for Nigeria to miss out on the global tournament for the second consecutive time.
“It’s going to be a crime—an absolute crime—if Nigeria doesn’t make it to the World Cup again,” Mikel said passionately. “We love football too much in this country. Our World Cup fate is in the players’ hands. They have to win these two games—no excuses.”
He added that off-field distractions must be set aside as the team focuses solely on performance.
“At this stage, every off-field problem goes out the window. It’s about the players now. They must take responsibility and deliver. Nigerians are counting on them.”
The Super Eagles are set to play Lesotho at the New Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane, South Africa, on Friday, before wrapping up their qualifiers against Benin Republic next Tuesday.
