Victor Osimhen highlights Nigeria’s urgent desire to qualify for the 2026 Fifa World Cup, following a disappointing Football World Cup exit last year. The Super Eagles have drawn three of their first four Group C matches and are now under the new leadership of coach Eric Chelle. Osimhen stresses the need for immediate improvement and the importance of player commitment to correct previous mistakes. The team is focused on upcoming matches that will determine their qualification status.
Victor Osimhen has expressed Nigeria’s urgent desire to qualify for the 2026 Fifa World Cup, emphasizing their need to avoid missing for a second consecutive time. The Super Eagles have drawn three of their first four Group C matches, and Osimhen missed these due to injury. Reflecting on their disappointment from the last qualifier, he stated, “It’s a dream of every footballer to play at the World Cup and with our situation in the group I am desperate, like other players, to make it to the 2026 tournament.”
As Nigeria prepares to play against Rwanda on March 21 and host Zimbabwe shortly thereafter, they sit four points behind group leaders Rwanda. The team is under the new leadership of Eric Chelle, their third coach since the campaign began in November 2023. Osimhen acknowledged the need for immediate improvements and stated, “There’s a new manager now and we are desperately looking forward to the game against Rwanda to try to correct all the previous mistakes we’ve made.”
Osimhen, the 2023 African Footballer of the Year, expressed regret at missing Qatar 2022. He believes the squad, which includes talents like Ademola Lookman and Moses Simon, needs to validate its potential by competing at the World Cup. He commented, “People say we have a talented generation but we can only confirm this talent when we play in a World Cup like those before us.”
Chelle’s appointment has received mixed responses; however, Osimhen is hopeful about the new strategy, as Chelle guided Mali to the 2023 Afcon quarter-finals. He remarked on the importance of player commitment in achieving their goals, indicating that they must bring their best performance to the field. He stated, “It takes more than a coach to win matches; players must also be at their best.”
Looking ahead to the upcoming tournaments, including the 2025 Afcon, Osimhen warned about the unpredictable nature of African football, which led to unexpected eliminations in previous tournaments. He stressed the team’s focus on the World Cup qualifiers, remarking, “We cannot focus too much on a tournament that will happen at the end of the year when we have big demands of the World Cup before that.”
The 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign is critical, as only group winners secure automatic qualification for the finals. Osimhen cautions against complacency, reminding the team that, “Names no longer win matches and you must be ready and switched on for the duration of the games.” He reiterated the significance of their mission, stating, “Playing at the World Cup is a priority and we must make it happen this time around.”
Victor Osimhen and the Nigerian national team face a critical juncture in their quest to qualify for the 2026 Fifa World Cup. With a rocky start in their group, they are determined to overcome past disappointments and correct previous mistakes under new coach Eric Chelle. Osimhen emphasizes the necessity of collective effort and commitment among players to secure their place in the tournament, recognizing the weight of their responsibility to their country and supporters. The upcoming matches against Rwanda and Zimbabwe are pivotal as Nigeria strives not only for qualification but also to enhance their legacy in world football.
Original Source: www.bbc.com
