Jay Jay Okocha Warns Osimhen, Lookman As Nigeria Risks Missing Out on 2026 World Cup
- The Super Eagles of Nigeria risk missing out on the 2026 FIFA World Cup with four games left in the qualifiers
- Nigeria have seven points from the opening six games after the disappointing 1-1 draw against Zimbabwe in Uyo
- Former captain Austin Jay-Jay Okocha has issued a warning to two top players to try and avoid missing matches
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Super Eagles legend Austin Jay-Jay Okocha has issued a stern warning to top stars Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman as Nigeria risks missing out on the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Okocha was heavily involved in one of Nigeria's most notable World Cup misses, during the 2006 tournament in Germany, with the country also missing the 2022 edition in Qatar.
Source: Getty Images
He admitted that despite playing at three World Cups, missing out on the 2006 edition still haunts him, and now a generation faces the possibility of never playing at the tournament at all.
“It is a dream for every player to play in the World Cup,” he told Soccernet. “Personally, not qualifying for the 2006 World Cup still haunts me. I still feel bad whenever I remember it because it could have been my fourth.”
Nigerians are displeased at the current standing of the team in the qualifying series, but Okocha warned that the disappointment weighs heavily on the players, as it is both their job and their dream.
“They will be very disappointed if they don’t make it,” he added. “People don’t realise sometimes that players are the ones that feel it the most - because it is their job, their dream.”
How has Nigeria's WCQ run gone?
The Super Eagles of Nigeria were drawn in Group C of the CAF qualifying series alongside South Africa, Rwanda, Benin Republic, Zimbabwe and Lesotho.
Nigeria has played six games in the series managed by three different managers, Jose Peseiro, Finidi George and current head coach Eric Chelle.
Peseiro oversaw draws against Zimbabwe and Lesotho in the November 2023 international break. Finidi coached the team to a draw against South Africa and a loss to the Benin Republic in June 2024.
In his first two games in charge of the team, Chelle oversaw a 2-0 win over Rwanda in Kigali before the team played a disappointing draw against Zimbabwe at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo.
Source: Getty Images
Seven points from six games has left Nigeria fourth in the group, six points behind group leaders South Africa, who have 13 points, while Benin Republic and Rwanda have eight points each.
How Nigeria could still qualify
According to OwnGoal Nigeria, the Super Eagles’ chance of automatic qualification relies on the fact that FIFA could hit South Africa with a three-point deduction for fielding the ineligible Teboho Mokoena against Lesotho.
If this happens, Bafana Bafana will drop to 10 points, three above Nigeria and with both teams set to meet in September, the Super Eagles must win their remaining games to have a chance of qualifying.
Chelle shares plan for Super Eagles
Legit.ng reported that Eric Chelle shared plans for the Super Eagles ahead of the World Cup qualifiers returning during the September international break.
The head coach admitted that the focus was on the first game against Rwanda before thinking about South Africa, two games that could decide Nigeria's fate.
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Source: Legit.ng
