Nigeria’s head coach, Finidi George, remains steadfast in his belief that the national team will bounce back strongly in their 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign, despite extending their winless streak to three matches. The Super Eagles were held to a frustrating 1-1 draw by South Africa at home in Uyo, leaving them in fifth place in Group C with just three points from as many games.
Currently, Lesotho leads the group with five points, followed closely by Rwanda and Benin with four points each. South Africa sits fourth with three points, while Zimbabwe trails with two points.
Reflecting on the draw against South Africa, Finidi acknowledged the disappointment of dropping crucial points but expressed confidence in his team’s ability to turn things around. “I am not shaken; we know the importance of qualifying for the World Cup. We must stay focused and not panic,” the 53-year-old coach emphasized.
Despite the setback, Finidi remains optimistic about Nigeria’s prospects, highlighting the need for a positive result in their upcoming fixture against Benin. “We need to regroup and prepare well for the next game,” he affirmed, underscoring the importance of maintaining morale and determination within the squad.
Following Nigeria’s defeat in the Africa Cup of Nations final earlier this year, Finidi took over as head coach permanently in April. He had previously served as assistant coach under Jose Peseiro, who departed after the AFCON final loss to Ivory Coast.
The Super Eagles are set to face Benin in Abidjan next Monday, where they aim to reignite their qualifying campaign before the tournament resumes in March 2025.
