Fulham midfielder Alex Iwobi has issued a defiant problem to Nigeria’s Group C rivals within the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, warning them to count on a fierce battle because the Tremendous Eagles search to safe their spot within the international event, Soccernet.ng studies.
After failing to qualify for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, Nigeria’s Tremendous Eagles are decided to keep away from one other disappointment.
The three-time African champions, who final featured within the event in 2018, are going through an uphill activity within the present qualifiers.
With solely 4 factors from their opening 4 video games, the Tremendous Eagles path leaders Rwanda by a major four-point margin.
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Forward of Nigeria’s essential upcoming matches, Iwobi has made it clear that his workforce will combat tooth and nail to show the tide.
“Everybody needs to expertise the World Cup — it’s the perfect and largest competitors on this planet,” Iwobi instructed the BBC.
“We all know it’s not going to be simple as a result of each workforce in Africa needs to qualify. It’s principally like going to conflict each recreation, however we’ll put up a combat and attempt to see what we are able to do. We’re all hungry and motivated.”
Nigeria’s qualification hopes are on the road as they put together for an important double-header in March.
The Tremendous Eagles will journey to Kigali to face Rwanda earlier than internet hosting Zimbabwe on the Godswill Akpabio Worldwide Stadium in Uyo.
The qualifiers will then pause earlier than resuming in late summer time, with Nigeria going through a difficult run of fixtures towards South Africa, Lesotho, and Benin, together with a return encounter towards Rwanda.
With solely the group leaders assured an computerized spot to the World Cup, the strain is on Nigeria however Iwobi is assured within the high quality of the squad, even because the workforce stays and not using a substantive head coach.
“We’ll by no means use it as an excuse as a result of we are able to solely maintain ourselves accountable as gamers,” he said.
“It doesn’t matter what supervisor comes into play, primarily it’s all the way down to us as gamers to present 100%. We’ve received the standard, all of us play in numerous excessive leagues throughout Europe. We’ve received to take accountability and get the factors to qualify.”
Head of the Nigeria Soccer Federation’s Technical Division, Augustine Eguavoen stepped in as caretaker coach to information the Tremendous Eagles to the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
Eguavoen has, nonetheless, known as on the NFF to hurry up the method of partaking a brand new everlasting coach forward of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.
Imhonlamhen Eronmhonsele
Imhonlamhen Eronmhonsele turns right into a ball of ardour when writing about Nigerian soccer and its abilities, whether or not rising stars or established legends, regionally and overseas.
From the deepest corners of the Center East, to the inexperienced fields of the Americas, to the celebrated grounds in Europe, and the wealthy soils of Africa, Imhons is greater than glad, often with a glass of a tasty drink close by, to seize the essence of the sport, by connecting the dots between tradition, id, and soccer.