Nigerian football icon Austin ‘Jay Jay’ Okocha is confident the Super Eagles can still qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup — but only if they step up and take control of their destiny.
Despite a shaky start to the qualifiers, including a recent 1-1 home draw against Zimbabwe that dropped Nigeria to fourth place in their group, Okocha believes hope is not lost. The team now trails group leaders South Africa by six points.
Speaking to iDiski Times, Okocha emphasized the need for a near-perfect run going forward. “If we want to give ourselves any chance of qualifying, we have to be thinking of winning all our remaining matches,” he said.
He pointed to the crucial upcoming clash against South Africa’s Bafana Bafana, saying, “It will be a tough game, but I believe we can go there and win. If we want to qualify, those are the games we need to win.”
Okocha, who played in three World Cups for Nigeria, is urging the team to rise to the occasion and keep their World Cup dreams alive.