Former Super Eagles striker Victor Ezeji has delivered a candid assessment of Nigeria’s 2026 World Cup qualification hopes amid FIFA’s disciplinary proceedings against South Africa, Footynaija.com reports.
Bafana Bafana are under investigation for allegedly fielding ineligible midfielder Teboho Mokoena during a World Cup qualifier against Lesotho in March, a match they won 2-0. Should FIFA uphold the charge, South Africa could face a three-point deduction.
Such a sanction would cut Nigeria’s deficit at the top of the group from six points to three, offering the Super Eagles a faint lifeline in their qualification campaign.
Ezeji, however, remains unconvinced. Despite acknowledging the potential reprieve, the former Enyimba forward, who earned eight caps for Nigeria, expressed serious doubts over the national team’s ability to capitalize on any setback for South Africa.
What Victor Ezeji said
“In all honesty, we did not cover ourselves in glory and things are not right in our football. When you look at other teams with 16 or 15 points, and we are grappling with 11 points, it is such a shame,” he said in an interview with Footy-Africa.
“We kept saying we had eight more games, then six, then four. Now there are only two left. I do not think we will make it to the World Cup, not even as one of the best second-placed teams.”
Ezeji also took a swipe at the current crop of Super Eagles players, arguing that they lack the traditional “Nigerian spirit” and accusing them of being too relaxed and detached from the expectations of fans who demand victory in every match, regardless of performance level.
With two games left in the qualification campaign, the Super Eagles no longer have their fate in their hands. While punishment for South Africa may create an opening, Eric Chelle’s men will still require both flawlessness and plenty of luck to reach the 2026 FIFA World Cup.