Former Secretary General of the defunct Nigeria Football Association, Alhaji Sani Ahmed Toro has poured water on fears that the Super Eagles may not qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup to be co-hosted by America, Canada and Mexico.
The Super Eagles missed out on the last 2022 World Cup, won by Argentina, as they were unable to defeat their neighbors Ghana, who secured the ticket instead.
The Super Eagles currently sit in fifth position in Group C, with only three points from four matches and trailing Rwanda, South Africa, and Benin, each with seven points.
Nigeria will resume their World Cup qualifying campaign on 17th of March with a clash against table-topper Rwanda in Kigali before hosting Zimbabwe.
READ MORE:
- 2027 Governorship Ambition Belongs To God, Says Jandor
- Former Ifako-Ijaiye Council Chairman Oloruntoba Oke Dies At 65
- Energy Expert Urges President Tinubu to End Petrol Import Racket, Prioritise Local Refining
- Operation Udo Ga-Achi Redefines Security in Anambra
- How I Was Instructed to Disguise As Female to Gain Clients’ Trust, EFCC Witness Reveals
But Toro believes it is still possible for the team to make it to the mundial.
”We can still qualify. All we need to do is to put our house in order. The NFF must sit up in terms of logistics. The new coach has to work with indigenous coaches especially with Technical Director, Austin Eguavoen. He does not know most of the players and needs to lean more towards Eguavoen to get the best”.
The Bauchi-born administrator admitted that the Eagles’ group looks dicey because of the presence of South Africa. ”The President of CAF is South African. They have good administration and they’re playing good football. They are ahead of Nigeria currently and will do everything to see that they pick the ticket”.
Notwithstanding, Toro who was secretary when Nigeria made its debut in the World Cup in USA ’94 said Nigeria would qualify. ”We’ll surprise the world and qualify. We always come to the party late. But once we are turned on, it’s difficult to let go”.
Asked what happens if we do not qualify? ”The coach goes. We wait for the next World Cup. The NFF officials are elected. You cannot touch them. The only thing is that it will be difficult for them to get re-elected. It won’t get to that. We’ve to support the team and support the NFF. The World Cup is for Nigerians and I’m happy that they have set-up the Presidential Support Group, PSG, for the World Cup qualification. We know that all things work together for good to them that believe”.