NIGERIA: Super Eagles Fight For Redemption As Sudan Chase Historic World Cup Spot

By Onoja Baba, Nigeria

As Africa’s 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers reach the halfway stage, Nigeria’s Super Eagles are in a desperate bid to revive their campaign, while Sudan dreams of an unprecedented qualification.

Nigeria, a team stacked with talent including reigning African Footballer of the Year Victor Osimhen and Atalanta forward Ademola Lookman, have struggled unexpectedly in Group C.

The Super Eagles currently sit fifth in a six-team group, having failed to win any of their four matches so far. Draws against Lesotho, Zimbabwe, and South Africa, followed by a shocking loss to Benin, have left their World Cup hopes hanging by a thread.

Newly appointed coach Eric Chelle, who took over after Finidi George’s short-lived tenure, faces a daunting challenge as Nigeria prepares to face Rwanda away and Zimbabwe at home.

Chelle, who was sacked by Mali earlier in the qualifiers, has promised an attacking approach.

“Football is about scoring goals, and I favor an attacking style,” he said, emphasizing the need to capitalize on Nigeria’s wealth of offensive talent.

Meanwhile, Sudan, a team not expected to challenge for a World Cup spot, has emerged as the surprise leaders of Group B.

Under Ghanaian coach Kwesi Appiah, Sudan has defied expectations, sitting two points ahead of Senegal, the group’s top seed. The war-torn nation is set for a crucial clash against Senegal in Benghazi, Libya, as political unrest has made home games impossible.

Appiah has urged his players to believe in themselves against a star-studded Senegalese side led by Sadio Mané.

“Look straight at the Senegalese stars and believe you are as good as they are,” he told his squad, reminding them that they are playing for their families and country amidst a brutal civil war.

Elsewhere, Egypt, powered by Mohamed Salah and Mahmoud Trezeguet, is expected to maintain its dominance in Group A against Ethiopia, while Ghana seeks to bounce back from recent disappointments in Group I.

Kenya also enters a new era under former Manchester United coach Benni McCarthy, who has vowed to take the Harambee Stars to their first-ever World Cup.

With only the group winners earning automatic qualification and the best second-placed teams heading to playoffs, the upcoming matchdays are crucial in determining Africa’s representatives at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

For Nigeria, failure to secure maximum points in their next two matches could spell the end of their World Cup hopes, while Sudan’s fairytale run could bring them closer to an unlikely place on football’s biggest stage.