As Nigeria gears up for the crucial playoffs of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, former Super Eagles midfielder Friday Ekpo has urged the national team to approach the decisive matches with utmost seriousness and precision. Ekpo, who represented Nigeria during the late 1980s and early 1990s, emphasised that only a top-level performance will guarantee qualification for the World Cup in North America.
Nigeria sealed their playoff spot emphatically, thrashing Benin Republic 4–0 in their final group game. The result ensured the Super Eagles finished among the best runners-up, earning them a place in the upcoming semifinal playoff format that will determine Africa’s representatives for the intercontinental playoffs.
However, despite the victory, Ekpo expressed concern that the three-time African champions must now endure an extra qualifying hurdle that could have been avoided. Speaking with Complete Sports, the former midfielder congratulated the team but cautioned that the playoffs will demand consistency, focus, and a fast start in every match.
“Congratulations to the Super Eagles for qualifying for the playoffs of the 2026 World Cup. The team realised they needed to win and also win with goals,” Ekpo said. “I am happy that we defeated Benin today, but I am not happy that the Super Eagles will be going through the stress of the playoff to qualify for the 2026 World Cup.”
Ekpo lamented the team’s earlier inconsistencies in the qualifying campaign, noting that Nigeria’s struggles in earlier matches had forced them into a difficult position. He urged both the coaching staff and players to reflect on their mistakes to ensure the same scenario does not repeat itself in future qualification cycles.
“This is something that we should sit back and think about so that it won’t repeat itself. Now, we should identify where we got things wrong and proffer solutions to it so that we will not be struggling in the future,” he added.
The Super Eagles, under the supervision of coach Finidi George, will discover their playoff opponents once the October FIFA rankings and CAF draw are released. The playoffs, scheduled between November 10 and 18, will feature the best runners-up from the qualifying groups. The winners of the two-legged ties will advance to a continental final, with the eventual victor earning a place in the FIFA interconfederation playoff — Africa’s last chance to secure a 10th World Cup slot.
Ekpo highlighted that Nigeria’s rich football pedigree should serve as motivation for the current squad, which features experienced internationals like Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman, and Wilfred Ndidi. He warned, however, that past achievements would count for little if the team fails to approach the playoff games with the right mentality.
“Talking about the playoff, the Super Eagles must come with their ‘A’ games and avoid starting slowly. Every minute will count, and there will be no room for complacency,” he stressed.
Nigeria has featured in six of the last eight World Cups, missing out only in 2006 and 2022. The Super Eagles’ failure to qualify for Qatar 2022 still lingers in the minds of fans, and Ekpo believes that lesson should fuel their determination this time.
“We cannot afford another heartbreak like the last time,” he said. “We have the players, we have the quality — all that is needed is focus, intensity, and teamwork. If they get that right, qualification is within reach.”
As anticipation builds for the November fixtures, Nigerians will be hoping that the Super Eagles can summon their trademark resilience and attacking flair to navigate the playoffs successfully — and book their ticket to the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
