Gernot Rohr Rates Nigeria’s Chances of Qualifying for 2026 WC After Draw vs South Africa
- Nigeria's 2026 FIFA World Cup took a heavy blow after the 1-1 draw against South Africa in Bloemfontein
- The Super Eagles are six points adrift of Bafana Bafana, who are top of Group C with two matches left to play
- Former head coach Gernot Rohr has rated Nigeria's chances of making it to the tournament in North America
Former Super Eagles head coach Gernot Rohr has rated the team's chances of qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup after matchday eight of the qualifiers.
Nigeria's World Cup hopes took a heavy blow after their 1-1 draw against South Africa in Bloemfontein, despite the promises after beating Rwanda 1-0 in Uyo.
Source: Getty Images
The Super Eagles approach the final two matches in October, hoping that catastrophe befalls South Africa and Benin Republic to allow them to go through.
A poor start to the qualifying campaign with three points from the opening four matches, during which they had two managers, Jose Peseiro and Finidi George.
Three draws against Lesotho, Zimbabwe and South Africa, topped by a loss to Gernot Rohr’s Benin Republic, put Nigeria in a situation which still affects them to this day.
Eric Chelle has picked up eight points from a possible 12 in four matches. If his predecessors had done the same, Nigeria would be on 16 points and only one behind South Africa.
As noted by beIN Sport, the playoff route is unlikely as Nigeria sit eight on the group of second-placed teams and every team above them are three points away from ruining their chances.
Rohr rates Super Eagles' chances
Gernot Rohr, whose Benin Republic side are second in Group C with 14 points after picking victories against Lesotho and Rwanda, has spoken about his former side.
The Franco-German manager admits that he feels sad for his former players, who could miss out on another World Cup after missing the 2022 edition.
“Of course, I predicted a win for Nigeria, but they got a draw, so they have a very small chance to qualify because there’s still hope for second-placed teams across the groups,” he told The Nation Sports.
“But it can be difficult for Nigeria because they would need more points. It can be frustrating, and I feel pity for my former players that they might not be going to the next World Cup.”
Source: Getty Images
Nigeria's final game of the qualifying campaign is against Benin Republic at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo, and Rohr looks forward to the match with fond memories.
“It would be a great feeling to go back to Uyo for our final qualifier against Nigeria, but we would be going to Uyo with the hope to also qualify for the World Cup,” he concluded.
Benin Republic have never qualified for the World Cup, while Nigeria have not made the tournament since Rohr led them to the 2018 edition in Russia.
Eric Chelle confident in Nigeria’s World Cup hopes
Legit.ng reported that Eric Chelle is confident that Nigeria will qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup and only have to win their remaining two matches.
The manager has not lost all hope because it remains mathematically possible for Nigeria to go through if other competing teams falter.
Source: Legit.ng
