Table of Contents
- It will be Nigeria’s seventh appearance in the FIFA World Cup if they qualify
- Super Eagles has played in six World Cup competitions since 1994
- The team has a new coach who is planning decisively about the team’s comeback
Retired Nigerian footballer Julius Aghahowa has shared a critical move that the Super Eagles need to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Already, hope is alive among Nigerian football fans that the Super Eagles stand a chance under Eric Sekou Chelle, the team’s new coach.
Should they qualify, it will be Nigeria’s seventh appearance in the FIFA World Cup. Currently, the team is in Group C holding a distant fifth position with only one win in the last five matches.
What Julius Aghahow Thinks Super Eagles Should Do
According to the former Super Eagles player, he says that the secret to qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup is with the coach.
Aghahowa while speaking at Brilla FM said Chelle’s biggest job is to motivate the team and raise players’ interest levels. He insisted that the coach must psych his team and make them understand that they need to win.
A mindset change is lacking in the team, he said adding that losing four matches proves that the players are demotivated and lack confidence.
Nigerian football icon Julius Aghahow. He is optimistic that the Super Eagles will play in the 2026 World Cup under new coach Eric Sekou Chelle. Photo/Eurosport
Super Eagles are set to face off with Rwanda and Zimbabwe in their next group matches under Sekou. If he manages to instil confidence in his team, Nigeria will make it to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
While physical tact is paramount in a football match, psychological awareness is equally important. So far, the team is battling demotivation and low confidence levels.
This is affecting their physical tact in the field and morale. The end game is a streak of losses.
Eric Sekou Chelle 2026 World Cup Qualifier Plan for Super Eagles
Chelle is keen on bringing A-game to the pitch in the World Cup Qualifier Campaign. He extended an invitation to 39 big names in the game such as Ahmed Musa who has been aw away from the pitch for a long time.
Other players include Ifeanyi Onyebuchi, William Troost-Ekong, Igoh Ogbu and Toluwase Arokodare.
New Super Eagles coach Eric Sekou Chelle. He is upbeat about raising the Nigerian national team profile in the ongoing World Cup qualifier matches. Photo/Goal Getter Media
If these players honour his call, he will include them in the team’s first squad. Fans are eagerly waiting for him to name his 23-squad ahead of the Rwanda debacle in Kigali.
With this plan, Aghahowa lauded the Malian coach terming it a masterstroke. However, he challenged Chelle to motivate his team now that they are staring at being knocked out of the qualifier matches.
Nigeria will fly back from Rwanda to host Zimbabwe in Uyo.
Has Nigeria Ever Played in the World Cup?
The Super Eagles first played in the 1994 FIFA World Cup hosted by the US. They played five more times thereafter. In 1998 (France), 2002 (Japan), 2010 (South Africa), 2014 (Brazil) and 2018 (Russia).
However, the Super Eagles failed in the final round of the African qualifiers for the 2022 Qatar World Cup. They lost to Ghana by drawing in the return leg match held in Abuja.
It was the first time in 12 years that Nigeria failed in the World Cup qualifiers. The team has carried the disappointment since then and all hopes are on Chelle to do his magic and have the team in play in 2026 World Cup.
