Eric Chelle Provides 2026 FIFA World Cup Hopes to Nigerians With Latest Comments
- Eric Chelle is positive about Nigeria's 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification despite a 1-1 draw against South Africa
- It's been a dismal campaign for the Super Eagles, who have managed just two wins from eight matches so far
- Nigeria's chances hinge on getting maximum points from their final two matches, and hoping that South Africa forfeit points
Despite failing to beat South Africa at the Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein, Super Eagles coach Eric Chelle is optimistic Nigeria can still make it to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
A 1-1 draw against Bafana Bafana leaves Nigeria's qualification chances hanging by a thread, but the tactician believes focus should be on winning the final two matches.
It has been a disastrous performance for the three-time African champions in the campaign, having won just two out of eight matches played so far.
Source: Getty Images
Five of their matches ended in 1-1 draws, while they lost 2-1 to the Republic of Benin at the Houpouet Boigny Stadium in Abidjan.
The results leave them third on the CAF qualification Group C table with 11 points, six behind table toppers South Africa.
Benin Republic, led by Gernot Rohr, are second in the group with 14 points, and the Cheetahs hope South Africa forfeit three points for fielding an ineligible player earlier, per Soccernet.
Tebojo Mokoena, who had received yellow cards in two previous matches, was ineligible to feature in Bafana Bafana's 2-0 win over Lesotho, but the Mamelodi Sundowns star was in action in that game.
It is a very complex situation for Nigeria, who must win their last two matches and hope South Africa lose their games against Zimbabwe and Lesotho, while Benin must lose one of their last two games.
Eric Chelle believes anything is possible in the game of football. He said via SABC:
"We are professional, so it's still two games and for sure these players want to win these two games, but at this moment is difficult for us because we wanted to win [against Bafana], and I think we did everything [to try and win].
"So in the two last games, a lot of things can happen in one month, and for sure a lot of things about the points, about the team, about everything, so we just need to analyse this game again and after that we'll see in the last two games.”
Despite Eric Chelle's positivity, World Cup qualification for the Super Eagles doesn't seem feasible.
Source: Getty Images
The Nigeria Football Federation will need to return to the drawing board and begin preparations for the 2030 FIFA World Cup.
South Africa's sports minister trolls Nigeria
Legit.ng earlier reported that South Africa's sports minister aimed a dig at Nigeria and other countries in Group C after the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier match day eight fixtures.
Gayton McKenzie urged South Africans to purchase their tickets for the final two matches early, while he told other countries in the group to buy calculators.
Source: Legit.ng
