Sunday Oliseh remains hopeful for Super Eagles’ 2026 World Cup qualification

By Monsurah Olatunji

Former international and coach Sunday Oliseh has expressed optimism about the Super Eagles’ chances of qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, despite their challenging start in the qualifying series.

Nigeria’s journey to the World Cup has been rocky, with the team failing to win any of their first four games under previous coaches Jose Peseiro and Finidi George.

The Super Eagles played three draws and suffered one loss. However, under interim coach Augustine Eguavoen, the team has shown resilience, going on a winning streak in the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.

With six games left, Nigeria currently sits in fourth place in Group C, with only three points. Despite the difficult position, Oliseh believes qualification is still within reach.

Speaking in a recent interview, Oliseh acknowledged the challenge ahead but drew parallels to his own playing career, where the Super Eagles managed a remarkable comeback in 2002 to qualify for the World Cup.

“The task ahead is a difficult one, but it is not impossible. We can still qualify,” Oliseh told News Central.

“Of course, we need to get some perfect results. We are four points behind, and it is not like we are the only ones. There are two or three teams who have the same points, which makes it more difficult when you are playing these teams.”

“But that, notwithstanding, is not undoable if you are a Nigerian. We had to do that in 2002 to go to the World Cup when I was captain. We were five points behind, and we had to really work hard with almost the same amount of games.”