Football buffs are angry, frustrated and  disappointment as the Super Eagles failed to secure all three points in their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying match against Zimbabwe at the Nest of Champions in Uyo.

Nigeria currently sits in fourth place with seven points after a 1-1 draw at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium on Tuesday. The result puts the team at a disadvantage in catching up with group leaders South Africa, who have 13 points.

Fans and analysts have described the situation as dire. Sports analyst Mitchel Obi said Nigeria’s qualification hopes are nearly impossible.

“It’s obvious the team can’t achieve any good result whether home or away, with the remaining four games to go,” he said. “It’s as good as saying goodbye to the World Cup coming up in Canada, U.S., and Mexico.”

Abiodun Sonaike, a Lagos-based sports lawyer, believes the Super Eagles have lost a crucial opportunity.

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“The chances are obviously slim; they have not collectively shown the seriousness needed to compete for a World Cup slot,” he said.

Sesan Aderibgbe said Nigeria can no longer control its fate. “They have lost out and totally disappointed fans who had high hopes after they defeated Rwanda,” he said.

However, NAN reports that Nigeria’s slim qualification chances depend on South Africa potentially losing three points for fielding an ineligible player, Teboho Mokoena, against Lesotho. If South Africa gets penalized, loses to Nigeria, and other teams like Benin and Rwanda drop points, Nigeria could still qualify—provided they win all remaining matches.

That amounts to permutation instead of preparation for the biggest soccer event in the world.

Crediblenewsng.com