Super Eagles on the Brink: Can They Avoid Another World Cup Qualifying Disaster?
The Super Eagles of Nigeria are once again on the verge of bottling their World Cup qualifiers. The last time Nigeria secured a spot was in 2018, but the 2022 qualifiers ended in heartbreak when the Eagles lost to Ghana, who only needed a draw to qualify. Since then, Nigeria has had multiple coaches, yet none have been able to turn things around.
In the ongoing 2025 qualifiers, the Eagles have struggled, managing only three draws and a loss. One major issue? Their overdependence on Victor Osimhen. The Galatasaray striker has been the backbone of Nigeria’s attack, and whenever he is unavailable, the team struggles to find a reliable replacement. This was evident in recent qualifiers when Osimhen was sidelined due to injury. Worse still, if he experiences a dip in form, the entire team could suffer.
Now, the spotlight is on Super Eagles’ new coach, Eric Chelle, the former Mali head coach known for his attacking style of play. While he gained social media fame for his viral AFCON meme after Mali bottled a 1-0 lead, Nigerians are hoping he can fix the team’s problems.
Despite never winning the World Cup, Nigeria remains a powerhouse in African football—at least in reputation. It would be both disappointing and embarrassing if the Eagles fail to qualify, especially considering the talent they boast. The current African Player of the Year, Ademola Lookman, and former winner Victor Osimhen have been in top form at their clubs. With such star power, missing out on the World Cup would be a massive failure.
As the next international break approaches in March, Nigeria faces a crucial qualifier against Rwanda. The question remains: Can the Super Eagles pull this off?
