Victor Osimhen: Nigeria’s Drive Towards 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualification
Victor Osimhen has articulated Nigeria’s urgent need to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, following their disappointing absence in 2022. With a challenging start in Group C, the team seeks crucial victories against Rwanda and Zimbabwe. Under new coach Eric Chelle, Osimhen stresses the importance of correcting past mistakes and uniting as a strong squad to fulfill their dreams of competing on the world stage again.
Victor Osimhen has expressed Nigeria’s urgent desire to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, especially after a disappointing absence from the previous tournament. Currently, the Super Eagles have drawn three of their first four matches in Group C, while Osimhen has missed games due to injury. He reflected on the emotional setback of losing to rival Ghana, emphasizing, “It’s a dream of every footballer to play at the World Cup and with our situation in the group I am desperate to make it to the 2026 tournament.”
With Nigeria currently trailing group leaders Rwanda, the team will face them on March 21, followed by a match against Zimbabwe four days later. The Super Eagles have already seen changes in leadership, as Eric Chelle becomes the third coach to oversee the team in this qualifying campaign, which began in November 2023. Osimhen stated, “There is a new manager now and we are desperately looking forward to the game against Rwanda to try to correct all the previous mistakes we’ve made.”
As the 2023 African Footballer of the Year, Osimhen expressed deep disappointment over missing the Qatar 2022 World Cup. He emphasized the need for a talented squad, featuring players like Ademola Lookman and Moses Simon, to secure their position for the upcoming tournament. He remarked, “People say we have a talented generation but we can only confirm this talent when we play in a World Cup like those before us.”
Chelle, the first non-Nigerian to lead the Super Eagles, has garnered a mixed response. Osimhen is keen to integrate Chelle’s strategies, noting the coach’s successful background, including leading Mali to a quarter-final appearance in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations. He remarked, “I’ve spoken to him a couple of times and clearly understand the objectives he has set for himself and for the players.”
Osimhen also acknowledged the unpredictable nature of African football, as evidenced by the recent 2023 AFCON where top teams were eliminated. He charged his teammates that maintaining focus on World Cup qualifiers takes precedence over future tournaments, stating, “We cannot focus too much on a tournament that will happen at the end of the year when we have big demands of the World Cup before that.”
The qualifiers will conclude before the African Cup of Nations 2025 starts on December 21, with Nigeria needing to win their group outright to secure a World Cup spot. Osimhen cautioned against complacency, insisting, “Names no longer win matches and you must be ready and switched on for the duration of the games.” He concluded by underscoring the gravity of their goal: to represent Nigeria and its people on the world stage effectively.
Victor Osimhen highlights Nigeria’s pressing ambition to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup following a disappointing disqualification from the previous tournament. With significant upcoming matches against Rwanda and Zimbabwe, the Super Eagles aim for a decisive turnaround under a new coach. The team’s talented roster, combined with a renewed focus and commitment, is essential as they strive to secure their spot on the global stage, emphasizing the pride of representing a nation that deeply invests in their success.
Original Source: www.bbc.com
