The Chairman of the Lagos State Football Association, Hajji Gafar Olawale Liameed has expressed optimism that the Super Eagles will scale whatever hurdle and challenges towards picking the 2026 World Cup Championship.
Read Also: Odegbami Describes Super Eagles’ Mission In Kigali As ‘Unprecedented, Very High Mountain To Climb’
Nigeria is campaigning in Group C, alongside South Africa, Benin, Zimbabwe, Rwanda and Lesotho. Nigeria found itself in a tight situation after starting badly, picking just three points from four matches in the series.
The Super Eagles played out one-all draws against both Lesotho and South Africa in Uyo, recorded same one-all draw against Zimbabwe away from home, and lost the fourth to Rwanda at home in Uyo, to stand in the fifth position after the four rounds of matches, but Hajji Gafar averred that the chances are redeemable.
Speaking to newsmen in Ilorin on Wednesday March 19, 2025, on the sidelines of the Round of 64 matches of the President Federation Cup competition, Hajji Gafar said that the chances of Nigeria making it through are bright, especially going by the renewed mentality in the team.
“Our chances are bright. What I see is six points from the two games against Rwanda in Kigali and Zimbabwe in Uyo. The Rwanda match will be a turning point, and the players are coming into this with renewed determination, energy and focus.
“Again, it will be the first game for our new handler, Eric Sekou Chelle. The Coach is ambitious and ready to work.
“It’s very unfortunate that we found ourselves in fifth position on the table, but Nigeria will always be Nigeria. We will always want the ball to bounce in our favour when it mattered most.
Nigeria will take on Rwanda tomorrow, Friday March 21 2025 in Kigali, and return home to face Zimbabwe in Uyo on Tuesday, in the fifth and sixth matches in the series of the qualifiers for the World Cup to be hosted by North American countries of Canada, Mexico and United States.
The group winner will directly qualify for the World Cup.
