Vincent Enyeama Predicts Who Will Qualify Between Nigeria and South Africa for 2026 FIFA World Cup
- Former Super Eagles captain Vincent Enyeama is backing Nigeria to bounce back despite a slow start in Group C
- The 2013 AFCON winner believes Nigeria will beat Rwanda and South Africa to revive their World Cup qualification hopes
- South Africa faces a possible points deduction, which could boost Nigeria’s chances of qualifying
Nigeria’s road to the 2026 FIFA World Cup is complicated but not impossible after a disastrous start in the qualifiers.
The Super Eagles sit fourth in Group C with seven points from six matches, with South Africa top the table on 13, while Rwanda and Benin Republic are just a point ahead of Nigeria on eight.
Source: Getty Images
One win from six games has left the three-time African champions under pressure and upcoming matches against Rwanda in Uyo and South Africa in Bloemfontein carry enormous weight.
Anything short of a win would leave Nigeria’s chances hanging by a thread, and a draw would keep them stranded in mid-table, while a defeat would all but bury their qualification hopes, The Nation reports.
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The margins are slim, but the Super Eagles will need back-to-back wins, something they have not done so far, to turn their fortunes around in the qualifiers.
Enyeama believes Nigeria can still qualify
Despite the difficult situation, former Super Eagles goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama remains optimistic that Nigeria can still beat South Africa to the World Cup ticket.
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The 2013 AFCON-winning captain believes Nigeria’s pedigree will carry them through despite a difficult start in the qualifiers.
“My stand is that Nigeria will qualify,” Enyeama told The PUNCH.
“Nigeria always comes out from the fire. They will beat South Africa, they will beat Rwanda, and they are going to qualify. I cross my fingers on that.”
Enyeama retired from international duty in 2015 with 101 caps, the most by any Nigerian at the time, and represented the country at three World Cups.
Having been in similar pressure situations during his career, the legendary goalkeeper is convinced that the current Super Eagles team has the character to turn things around.
Too little too late for Nigeria
Meanwhile, Nigerian football expert, Fidelis Oriahi, disagrees with Enyeama.
In an exclusive chat with Legit.ng, Fidelis believes the damage has been done already and it is too late for the Super Eagles to turn things around.
“With all due respect to Enyeama’s optimism, I think the damage has already been done,” Fidelis Oriahi disclosed.
“The Super Eagles left it too late in the qualifiers, and while they may get results against Rwanda and South Africa, I don’t believe it will be enough to secure qualification."
The road ahead for Nigeria
Nigeria’s task goes beyond beating Rwanda in Uyo as they also face South Africa in Bloemfontein shortly after, a fixture that could prove decisive.
Adding another layer of drama, FIFA is still reviewing a potential points deduction for South Africa, who allegedly fielded an ineligible player against Lesotho in March.
If Bafana Bafana finally gets punished and three points are eventually deducted from their total points tally, Group C could open up in Nigeria’s favour.
But even without it, the Super Eagles will still have to take matters into their own hands by not dropping any more points.
After Rwanda and South Africa, Nigeria finish their qualifying campaign with matches against Lesotho and Benin Republic in October.
Nigeria vs Rwanda preview
In a related development, Legit.ng reported that the FIFA World Cup qualifiers are reaching the crucial stages, and Nigeria takes on Rwanda in a must-win fixture at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium.
With four matches left in the qualification series, Nigeria must not drop points in any of their upcoming games should they hope to remain in the race for the ticket.
Source: Legit.ng
