NFF President Confident Super Eagles Will Advance to Intercontinental Play-Offs

NFF President Confident Super Eagles Will Advance to Intercontinental Play-Offs

By Niyi Busari 

The President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Ibrahim Gusau, has expressed strong confidence in the Super Eagles' ability to secure a place in the 2026 FIFA World Cup intercontinental play-offs, BSNSports.com.ng reports.

Speaking in an interview with NFF TV, Gusau praised the team’s renewed sense of commitment and focus following their recent upturn in form during the African World Cup qualifiers. He revealed that preparations for the crucial CAF play-offs in November are already underway, with full backing from the Federal Government through the National Sports Commission. “We are confident. The players have now realised the importance of qualifying for the World Cup, not just for the country, but for their careers,” Gusau said. 

“Their performance in the last two matches clearly shows they are ready, and the government is giving us all the support we need.”

Gusau also credited head coach Eric Chelle for the team's turnaround, noting that the Super Eagles remained unbeaten under his guidance in the qualifiers, winning four matches and drawing two.

 “If previous coaches had produced similar results from the earlier four matches, Nigeria would already be in the World Cup,” he added. “Many people had doubts when we brought in Eric Chelle, but now we’ve shown Nigerians why he was the right choice.”

The NFF President confirmed that the federation is already preparing in detail for the CAF play-offs, set to be held in Morocco from November 13 to 16, where Nigeria, Cameroon, Gabon, and DR Congo will compete for a single slot in the intercontinental play-offs.

 “We know our potential opponents, we know the venue, and our preparations are in full swing. The most important thing now is maintaining the momentum and the players’ determination,” Gusau stated.

The winner of the CAF mini-tournament will represent Africa in the intercontinental play-offs, scheduled for March 2026 in Mexico, where six teams from across FIFA’s confederations will battle for the final two spots at the expanded 48-team FIFA World Cup.