Nigeria’s preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers will proceed with a coaching camp and three pleasant matches throughout the June 2025 worldwide window, the Nationwide Sports activities Fee (NSC) has confirmed, Soccernet.ng experiences.
The initiative is a part of efforts to fine-tune the squad forward of the essential qualifiers, which resume in September.
Nevertheless, NSC Chairman Shehu Dikko has not disclosed the identities of the groups the Tremendous Eagles will face within the upcoming friendlies.
“With the coaching camp and three pleasant matches being deliberate for the crew within the June 2025 window, it might definitely present a platform for the technical crew to reset, mould, and ideal the crew in preparation for the continuation of the qualifiers in September 2025 and the mission forward,” Dikko said on Twitter.
Nigeria vs Zimbabwe:
Not the consequence Nigeria needed and desperately craved. Soccer generally might be brutal because it’s nonetheless a impolite shock that the @NGSuperEagles dominated play for the complete 90 minutes of the match, created over 42 attacking play within the opponent field with over 10… pic.twitter.com/cvTs3Eo7iy— Shehu Dikko (@ShehuDikko) March 26, 2025
Hypothesis has been rife over Nigeria’s potential opponents.
Russia beforehand introduced an settlement to play the Tremendous Eagles in early June, however the Nigeria Soccer Federation (NFF) has neither confirmed nor denied the declare.
Equally, experiences counsel that Nigeria may face arch-rivals Ghana, although no official assertion has been launched.
One other unverified report signifies that the Tremendous Eagles would possibly take part in a four-team mini-tournament alongside Ghana, Jamaica, and England. Nevertheless, the NFF has but to make clear this.
Whatever the ultimate lineup of opponents, the June friendlies will present Nigeria’s teaching workers with a useful alternative to refine techniques and strengthen the squad earlier than the decisive qualifying fixtures.
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Nigeria’s World Cup qualification hopes nonetheless alive
Regardless of latest setbacks, Dikko has reassured followers that Nigeria stays within the race for a spot on the 2026 World Cup.
The Tremendous Eagles endured a irritating 1-1 draw in opposition to Zimbabwe of their final qualifier on the Godswill Akpabio Worldwide Stadium in Uyo, conceding a late equaliser that left them six factors behind group leaders South Africa with simply 4 matches remaining.
Dikko sympathised with the crew, acknowledging that the consequence didn’t replicate their dominance.
“Not the consequence Nigeria needed and desperately craved. Soccer generally might be brutal because it’s nonetheless a impolite shock that the @NGSuperEagles dominated play for the complete 90 minutes of the match, created over 42 attacking performs within the opponent’s field with over 10 clear and respectable probabilities to attain (which on a very good day may have simply been objectives) and gave little or no opening to the opponents, but ended up drawing the match!”
Tremendous Eagles head coach, Éric Chelle, and his agent, Sidibe, held a personal assembly right this moment with the Chairman of the Nationwide Sports activities Fee @NatSportsComm to strategize for the way forward for the crew.
Higher days forward. pic.twitter.com/3FkG7w6rRz
— Ojora Babatunde (@ojbsports) March 27, 2025
Nevertheless, reasonably than criticising the gamers and training workers, the NSC boss praised their effort and dedication.
“Nonetheless, I have to commend the @NGSuperEagles gamers and the technical crew led by Eric Chelle for placing up an excellent and decided efficiency, as evident from the match statistics. They gave their all to win the match, nevertheless it was simply not meant to be.”
Bonus funds and Authorities guarantees
To bolster Nigeria’s World Cup qualification push, the NSC and the NFF have agreed on a revised bonus construction for the remaining qualifiers.
Funds for the latest match in opposition to Rwanda had been settled as deliberate, whereas the bonuses for the Zimbabwe recreation had been disbursed earlier than kick-off.
Dikko outlined the brand new monetary incentives, reiterating the federal government’s dedication to supporting the Tremendous Eagles.
“Accordingly, throughout this qualification window, the Nationwide Sports activities Fee, in collaboration with the NFF @thenff, collectively negotiated a revised remuneration and bonus construction with the crew for the rest of the six qualifying matches. The NSC made out there the mandatory funds to make sure the crew was promptly paid after the Rwanda match according to the settlement. In truth, for the Zimbabwe recreation, the crew was paid all that was agreed a day earlier than the match to additional entrench the dedication of the NSC to the settlement and inspire the crew.”
Along with monetary incentives, the Nigerian authorities has moved to fulfil its promise of land presents for the squad following their spectacular run to the AFCON ultimate final 12 months.
“Moreover, to additional inspire the crew, on twenty first March 2025, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR @officialABAT promptly accredited and directed the Minister of FCT @GovWike and the Minister of Works @realdaveumahi to fast-track the conclusion of processing and make sure the immediate supply of the plots of land and homes in Abuja that the Federal Authorities promised the crew final 12 months,” Dikko revealed.
Nigeria’s focus turns to September qualifiers
The Tremendous Eagles will resume their World Cup qualifying marketing campaign in September with key fixtures in opposition to Rwanda and South Africa. With renewed monetary backing, strategic planning, and a transparent focus, Nigeria stay decided to safe a spot on the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
