Former Super Eagles goalkeeper and football analyst Idah Peterside has identified the two matches that cost Nigeria an automatic qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The Super Eagles finished second in Group C, behind South Africa, who secured the group’s sole automatic ticket to next year’s World Cup. Nigeria will now have to navigate the CAF play-offs, where they are set to face Gabon in November.
Speaking on Soccer Beat, Peterside said Nigeria’s failure to beat Zimbabwe and Lesotho in their early qualifying games proved costly in the long run.
“Two games cost Nigeria automatic qualification — Zimbabwe and Lesotho,” Peterside stated. “We played draws in Uyo. You can’t draw with Lesotho and Zimbabwe at home and expect to top the group.”
He lamented that the Super Eagles only found their rhythm late in the qualifiers, especially in the emphatic win over Benin Republic, when the pressure had already intensified.
“Benin were topping the group and we beat them soundly. Imagine if Nigeria had taken this form earlier in the qualifiers,” he added.
The draws against Zimbabwe and Lesotho left Nigeria trailing South Africa, who capitalized on their consistency to finish top of the group.
The Super Eagles, now led by coach Eric Chelle, must win the upcoming play-offs to keep their World Cup dream alive. The first round of the play-offs will be held in Morocco between November 13 and 16.
