Nigeria’s Pillar of Sports, Chief Donatus Agu-Ejidike has expressed disappointment over the Super Eagles’ loss of concentration at a crucial moment in the FIFA 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Zimbabwe.
The match, played at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo on Tuesday, ended in a setback for Nigeria’s qualification hopes after the Super Eagles played 1-1 against Iimbabwe on Tuesday.
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Ejidike described the result as a major blow to the country’s efforts to regain lost ground in the qualifiers. The Super Eagles currently sit in fourth place with seven points after six matches, putting their World Cup aspirations in jeopardy.
Speaking to journalists in his Ilorin office on Wednesday, the Nnewi born business mogul stated that the possibility of Nigeria failing to qualify for the World Cup would be devastating for football fans in the country. He noted that the Super Eagles trail group leaders, South Africa’s Bafana Bafana, by six points—a significant gap that will be difficult to close given the team’s current form.
Ejidike criticized the team’s poor game management, arguing that instead of defending their slim lead—secured in the 74th minute through Victor Osimhen—the coaching staff opted to introduce an attacker instead of a defender. He pointed out that Zimbabwe, known for sitting back, absorbing pressure, and counter-attacking, capitalized on a moment of defensive lapse to score a 90th-minute equalizer.
“Our team failed to take heed of Zimbabwe’s counter-attacking strategy, which they had consistently used throughout the game,” he said. “We paid dearly for that moment of lost concentration”, Ejidike said.
With Nigeria’s chances of qualifying for the World Cup becoming slimmer, stressed that it will take more than luck for the team to finish at the top of the group.
However, he remained hopeful that favorable results from other fixtures, combined with Nigeria avoiding further unnecessary dropped points, could still see the Super Eagles qualify for the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Mexico, and Canada.
The Anambra-born sports philanthropist also urged the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and its technical department to allow the head coach full autonomy in selecting players best suited for his tactical approach. He emphasized that the coach should be held accountable for the team’s performance.
While Ejidike dismissed rumors that NFF officials influence player selection, he advised the football governing body to avoid any actions that might lend credibility to such allegations.
He warned that Nigerians would not easily forgive those responsible if the country fails to qualify for the World Cup for the second consecutive time.
It is worth recalling that Nigeria missed out on the 2022 World Cup in Qatar after losing to Ghana on away goals. If they qualify for 2026, it will mark Nigeria’s seventh appearance at the tournament since making their debut in the USA in 1994.
Ejidike had previously commended the team for their 2-0 victory over Rwanda in Kigali, urging them to maintain the momentum in the remaining qualifiers.
However, with this latest setback, he admitted that the task of qualification is becoming increasingly difficult
