Joseph Yobo: “Super Eagles Need a Miracle — Missing the 2026 World Cup Would Be Unthinkable” 🇳🇬⚽
Former Super Eagles captain Joseph Yobo has voiced his deep concern over Nigeria’s shaky World Cup qualification campaign, stressing that the team cannot afford to miss out on the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Nigeria currently sits third in Group C, three points behind Benin Republic and South Africa, with just two matches left to play.
Yobo, speaking on Brila FM, admitted that the situation looks dire but believes there’s still a faint glimmer of hope.
“For a country like Nigeria not to be there, it doesn’t make sense. It affects everyone, because football is a huge part of our culture,” he said.
“We can’t keep making these mistakes. I’m not even thinking about not qualifying. I’m just hoping that a miracle happens somewhere. But we must play our part first.”
The Super Eagles are set to face Lesotho and Benin Republic in their final qualifiers — two must-win games that could define the future of Nigerian football on the global stage.
Opinion: Nigeria’s Pride Is on the Line — The Eagles Must Rise, or We All Fall Together 🦅🔥
Yobo’s words hit home — not just because of his legacy as a former captain, but because they echo the frustration of millions of Nigerians. Football isn’t just a game in Nigeria; it’s a national heartbeat, a rare source of unity and joy amid daily struggles.
The truth is harsh: for a nation blessed with world-class talent — Osimhen, Lookman, Iwobi, Ndidi — to be staring at possible elimination is more than disappointing; it’s embarrassing. It points to deeper issues — poor management, inconsistency, and lack of urgency on and off the pitch.
But miracles, as Yobo said, don’t happen to passive teams. The Super Eagles must create their own miracle — with discipline, hunger, and national pride. These last two matches aren’t just qualifiers; they’re a battle for redemption, a fight to prove that Nigeria still belongs on football’s biggest stage.
Because if the Eagles fall short again, it won’t just be a football loss — it’ll be a heartbreak felt from Lagos to London, from Abuja to Atlanta. 💔⚽
