Former Super Eagles captain Sunday Oliseh has cautioned that Nigeria must take matters into their own hands in the World Cup qualifiers, insisting that relying on potential sanctions against South Africa will mean nothing if the team fails to beat South Africa, Footynaija.com reports.
Nigeria are currently third in Group C of the CAF 2026 World Cup qualifiers with 10 points from seven matches. South Africa lead the group on 16 points while Benin occupy second place with 11 points. Eric Chelle’s side earned a narrow 1-0 victory over Rwanda on 6 September in Uyo to stay within touching distance of qualification, but their chances still hang in the balance.
The group has been overshadowed by a disciplinary issue, with South Africa facing the possibility of a three-point deduction for allegedly fielding an ineligible player earlier in the campaign. The development could affect the standings, but Oliseh has urged Nigerians not to put their hopes solely on off-field decisions.
Source: 90s Football (via X)
Speaking in an interview with iDiskiTimes, Oliseh said, “I must say that with the victory against Rwanda, there is now a real possibility to qualify.”
He added that any sanction will be meaningless if the Super Eagles do not secure results in their remaining fixtures.
“It is useless if South Africa is sanctioned and we do not beat South Africa and we do not get positive results in the last two games (against Lesotho and Benin),” Oliseh explained.
Nigeria’s next assignment is away to group leaders South Africa in Bloemfontein on 9 September. The game comes with added pressure as Victor Osimhen, who scored twice in the 2-0 win over Rwanda in March, has been ruled out with an ankle injury.
Only the winners of each group will qualify automatically for the World Cup in Canada, USA and Mexico, while the runners-up may still fight for a ticket through the playoff route.