By VICTOR OKOYE

Defender Kenneth Omeruo has assured that Super Eagles players are determined to give their all for maximum points when the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers resume in June.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Super Eagles contingent to the friendly matches against Ghana and Mali in Marrakech departed Morocco on Wednesday, with most of the players flying back to their bases in Europe.

After grieving over the unexpected loss to Mali, on-field captain Omeruo assured that the players were determined to give their all for maximum points when the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers resumed in June.

Nigeria take on the Bafana Bafanas in Uyo and then confront Benin Republic away from home in the international window of June 3-11, in Match Days 3 and 4 of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign.

We went into the match against Mali determined to win, just as we did against Ghana.

In the end, they took their chances and we failed to take ours. Thats football. You just have to take the chances that come your way.

Having said that, June is only a few weeks away and we are focused on the matches against South Africa and the Benin Republic.

Many players in the group have not played at the World Cup before and they see this as a big opportunity to be there.

We cannot afford to let ourselves and the nation down, Omeruo said.

NAN also reports that Nigeria currently occupies third spot in Group C with two points from two games played so far. They are tied with Lesotho and Zimbabwe who also have two points each.

Table-toppers Rwanda are on four points. They are closely followed by South Africa on three points.

Benin are at the bottom of the table with one point.

The top finisher in each of the nine groups will qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, while one of the best losers will participate in the FIFA Play-off tournament.

The Africa Zone (CAF) qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World which began on Nov. 15, 2023 is expected to end in November 2025. (NAN)