Former Super Eagles forward John Utaka has encouraged the Nigerian national team to remain positive and committed as they continue their quest for a spot at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. With Nigeria currently sitting fourth in Group C of the qualifiers with seven points, the road to qualification is steep but still possible.
South Africa leads the group with 13 points, followed by Benin and Rwanda on eight points each. Speaking to Brila FM, Utaka expressed concern over the current standings but maintained that the Super Eagles have the quality to turn things around.
“With the kind of talent we have, we shouldn’t be in this position,” he said. “We need to come together and stay focused on achieving our World Cup dream. We must be determined like other countries. In football, anything can happen. We shouldn’t give up.”
Utaka added that belief, unity, and a proactive mindset will be critical in navigating the remaining fixtures of the qualifying campaign.
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Editorial
John Utaka’s call for calm and unity could not come at a better time. The Super Eagles find themselves in unfamiliar territory chasing qualification from a position of vulnerability. And while critics have been quick to point fingers, Utaka’s message is one of hope, accountability, and belief in the collective strength of Nigerian football.
It’s easy to get discouraged when expectations clash with reality. Nigeria boasts a squad filled with world-class talent players starring in top European leagues—yet the team finds itself trailing South Africa, Rwanda, and Benin. That stings. But football has always been a game of fine margins and dramatic turnarounds.
What’s needed now isn’t just tactics or technical tweaks it’s mental resilience. Nigeria must adopt the mindset of a team with nothing to lose and everything to gain. Every player must take ownership of the journey ahead. It’s no longer about potential or paper superiority. It’s about grit, urgency, and pride.
And let’s not forget: qualification isn’t out of reach. With the right attitude, and a little help from favourable results elsewhere, the dream is still alive. The challenge now is to rediscover belief—because as Utaka rightly said, in football, anything can happen.
Did You Know?
- John Utaka played in two FIFA World Cups for Nigeria in 2002 and 2010 scoring once in 49 international appearances.
- The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, and will feature an expanded format of 48 teams.
- Nigeria has qualified for six of the last seven FIFA World Cups, missing only the 2006 edition.
- South Africa last qualified for the World Cup in 2010 as hosts but have failed to make the cut since.
- The Super Eagles’ last World Cup match was a 2-1 loss to Argentina in the 2018 group stage, where they narrowly missed out on advancing to the knockout rounds.
