Super Eagles Head Coach, Eric Chelle, remains optimistic that the Nigerian team can still secure a place at the 2026 FIFA World Cup despite their precarious position in Group C.

Chelle backed his players following the 1-1 draw against South Africa in Bloemfontein, a result that left the team’s qualification hopes hanging by a thread.

Despite dominating large spells of the game, Nigeria failed to secure the win they desperately needed, leaving them on 11 points from eight matches—six adrift of Group C leaders Bafana Bafana with just two games to play.

Chelle, however, chose not to dwell on the disappointment, instead commending the team’s commitment in a difficult away fixture. “We tried, [the players] gave everything to try to win and, like I said, it’s difficult to come here and hope for a win because this team is very good, their wingers are very fast, and the striker keeps the ball well,” he said after the match.

The coach admitted that a brief lapse cost Nigeria dearly. “During this game, for just 10 seconds, we were not in a good position and they killed us, so after that we came back in the game because we were ready for that, and the state of mind of the players was to come back and try to score a goal, but South Africa is a good team.”

Looking ahead, Chelle acknowledged the tough road that remains. “We are professional, so it’s still two games and for sure these players want to win these two games, but at this moment it’s difficult for us because we wanted to win [against Bafana], and I think we did everything to try and win,” he said. “So in the last two games, a lot of things can happen in one month … we just need to analyze this game again and after that we’ll see in the last two games.”

Nigeria’s draw with South Africa on Tuesday left the Super Eagles in second place on the Group C table with 11 points from eight matches.

The team will next face Lesotho on 10 October at the Toyota Stadium in Bloemfontein, before concluding their qualifying campaign on 16 October against the Benin Republic in Uyo.

Group leaders South Africa remain firmly in control with 17 points from eight games, while Benin sit second on 14 points. Nigeria and Rwanda are level on 11 points, though the Eagles edge ahead on goal difference. Lesotho, with six points, and Zimbabwe, on four, round out the standings.

With only two games left, Nigeria may need maximum points from both fixtures to keep their 2026 FIFA World Cup hopes alive, or risk being pushed into the play-off route. (Daily Trust)

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