NFF President Sends Message to Nigerians Ahead of Final Phase of World Cup Qualifiers

• The NFF president has promised that the Super Eagles will strive to secure a 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification
• Nigeria have been dismal in the qualifiers, with only two wins from eight matches, placing them third in CAF Group C
• South Africa lead the group with 17 points, followed by Benin Republic with 14, as Nigeria prepare to face Lesotho

The president of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Ibrahim Gusau, has maintained that the Super Eagles will do everything possible to pick an automatic ticket to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Nigeria have been dismal in the qualification series, managing just two wins from eight matches as they languish in third position in CAF qualification group C with 11 points.

South Africa lead the pack with 17 points, while the Benin Republic are second with 14 points, as teams head into the final phase of the campaign.

The Super Eagles are scheduled to take on Lesotho in South Africa on October 10 and then four days later, they face off with Benin at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo.

Nigeria's qualification chances hang by a thread, and three points for Bafana Bafana over Zimbabwe could see South Africa pick the World Cup ticket, per BBC.

Both Nigeria and Benin could be handed a lifeline should FIFA sanction South Africa for fielding an ineligible player in the qualification series.

Teboho Mokoena, who should have been suspended after receiving yellow cards in two previous matches, was in action in Bafana Bafana's 2-0 win over Lesotho in March.

South Africa risk a three-point and three goals deduction should the world's football governing body find the country's FA guilty.

And ahead of the game against Lesotho, Ibrahim Gusauu stated that the NFF and Super Eagles will do everything to pick a ticket to the global showpiece.

He said via TNUK:

"We will do our best to make sure that Nigeria qualifies for the World Cup."

Cyriel Dessers dropped

The Nigeria Football Federation has reportedly dropped Cyriel Dessers from the Super Eagles squad ahead of next month's 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.

The former Genk star got a chance to prove himself under Eric Chelle at the 2025 Unity Cup in the absence of Galatasaray forward Victor Osimhen.

The Belgian-born forward increased his goal tally to three for the three-time AFCON winner during international friendlies.

Having been overlooked by former Super Eagles coaches like Jose Peseiro and Finidi George, coach Eric Chelle extended an invitation to the forward to prosecute the crucial World Cup qualifiers against Rwanda and Lesotho.

Nigeria prepare for Colombia friendly

Legit.ng earlier reported that the Super Eagles will take on Colombia in an international friendly, as both countries will face off against each other for the third time on Monday, September 30. Their last encounter ended in a 1-1 draw.

The Cafeteros battle New Zealand in Fort Lauderdale in an earlier game in Florida on November 15 before heading to take on the three-time AFCON winners.

Source: Legit.ng