Former Super Eagles striker Brown Ideye has warned that Nigeria’s hopes of qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup remain precarious, despite a recent points deduction handed to South Africa by FIFA.
The ex-international, who was part of Nigeria’s 2013 Africa Cup of Nations-winning squad, expressed his concerns on social media, noting that qualification is now out of the Super Eagles’ direct control.
South Africa’s setback
Nigeria’s fortunes appeared to improve earlier this week when FIFA confirmed that South Africa had fielded an ineligible player during their 2-0 victory over Lesotho in March. Midfielder Teboho Mokoena was suspended after accumulating too many yellow cards, but still featured in the match.
The ruling saw Bafana Bafana docked three points, dropping them from top of CAF Group C to second place, with Benin Republic moving into first on goal difference. Nigeria, who had been languishing in third, suddenly found themselves within touching distance of the top two.
However, Ideye remains cautious, stressing that the Super Eagles cannot afford to assume their qualification path is suddenly straightforward.
“Not in our hands”
Reacting on his official X handle, Ideye wrote: “Not in our hands anymore, just win these two games and pray South Africa drop points, which I don’t see them doing. How did we get here? Question I ask myself sometimes.”
His comments reflect a growing sense of frustration among former players and fans, many of whom believe the current squad has underperformed given the depth of talent available.
Nigeria’s uphill task
The Super Eagles sit on 11 points with two matches remaining. They must beat Lesotho in Polokwane on October 10 and then defeat group leaders Benin Republic in Uyo on October 14 to finish on 17 points.
Even if they win both matches, Nigeria’s fate depends on the results of their rivals. Should South Africa and Benin both win their remaining fixtures, Nigeria’s effort will still fall short.
This scenario underscores Ideye’s concern that destiny is no longer in Nigeria’s own hands, but reliant on others slipping up.
History of missed chances
Nigeria’s current predicament is the result of dropped points earlier in the campaign. The Eagles were held to draws against lower-ranked opponents and suffered defeats that left them chasing the group leaders.
Fans and pundits have pointed to a lack of consistency, defensive errors, and questionable tactical decisions as reasons for Nigeria’s struggles.
For Ideye, the situation raises broader questions about the planning and execution of Nigeria’s qualification campaign. “How did we get here?” he asked, echoing a sentiment that resonates widely among supporters.
Chelle’s challenge
Head coach Eric Chelle, who recently named his 23-man squad for the October fixtures, faces mounting pressure to deliver victories in both games. His squad includes established names like Victor Osimhen, Alex Iwobi, Wilfred Ndidi, and Ademola Lookman, as well as a first call-up for Sevilla striker Jerome Akor Adams.
Chelle has urged focus and discipline, warning against underestimating opponents. “We must respect both Lesotho and Benin,” he said. “Qualification is still possible, but we need to control what we can: our performance and our results.”
A familiar story
Nigeria’s World Cup qualifying campaigns have often been marked by late drama, but rarely have they been so dependent on external results. For many, this is a sobering reminder of the consequences of earlier slip-ups.
While the points deduction against South Africa offers a glimmer of hope, Ideye’s remarks underline the stark reality: Nigeria must not only win but also rely on others faltering.
For the Super Eagles, the message is clear. Two wins are non-negotiable. Whether that will be enough depends on results elsewhere.
As Ideye’s blunt assessment suggests, Nigeria’s fate is no longer in their own hands—and that may prove the hardest truth for fans to accept.
