Super Eagles goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali has backed the Super Eagles to fight hard for a spot at the 2026 FIFA World Cup despite a rocky start to the qualifiers, Footynaija.com reports.
The 29-year-old, who led Nigeria to the 2023 AFCON final with four clean sheets in seven matches, shared his thoughts during William Troost-Ekong’s charity match in Lagos, where he revealed that belief within the camp remains strong.
When asked about Nigeria’s qualification chances, he admitted the journey so far has been challenging but insisted the players remain united in their ambition to reach the World Cup.
“We are working towards it. I know it’s not going to be easy. We are Nigeria doesn’t mean we are going to win every one,” Nwabali said.
“But we are going to see how we go. We still have a lot of hope and we still feel like we are going to qualify,” he added, as reported by PUNCH Sports Extra.
Nigeria currently sit fourth in Group C of the African qualifiers with just 7 points from six matches. The Super Eagles have recorded one win, four draws and one loss, putting them behind South Africa (13 points), Rwanda (8 points) and Benin (8 points). Lesotho follow with 6 points, while Zimbabwe sit bottom with 4.
Nigeria, who missed out on the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, must now win most, if not all, of their remaining four matches to stand a chance of finishing top of the group or emerging as one of the four best second-placed teams across the continent.
With crucial fixtures coming up in September against Rwanda and South Africa, the Super Eagles’ number one remains focused, urging fans not to lose faith as qualification is still very much in sight.