Former Super Eagles coach Gernot Rohr has expressed confidence that Nigeria can recover from their rocky start in the FIFA 2026 World Cup qualifiers, warning that missing out on two consecutive tournaments would be a major setback for the country.
Speaking to NationSports, Rohr, who currently manages Benin Republic, said Nigeria’s pedigree and talent pool give them a fighting chance to secure a ticket to the global event.
“They cannot afford to miss two consecutive FIFA World Cups,” Rohr stated. “I strongly believe they can still bounce back in the race for the 2026 World Cup.”
Rohr, who guided Nigeria to their last World Cup appearance in Russia 2018, was dismissed before the final playoff in the Qatar 2022 qualifiers, which Nigeria ultimately lost to Ghana under interim coach Austin Eguavoen.
A Tough Road Ahead
The Super Eagles currently find themselves in fifth place in Group C of the CAF qualifiers, with just three points from four matches. The group includes South Africa, Lesotho, Rwanda, Zimbabwe, and Rohr’s Benin Republic.
Nigeria’s campaign began with a disappointing 1-1 home draw against Lesotho, followed by two more 1-1 stalemates against Zimbabwe (away) and South Africa (home). Their struggles were compounded by a 2-1 defeat to Benin in Abidjan last June.
With six matches remaining in the qualifiers, Rohr emphasised the need for focus and resilience.
“Nigeria has the best collection of players out there, but they must stay focused if they want to qualify,” Rohr said. “They need a good fighting spirit, especially with tough games still ahead, including away matches in South Africa and other challenging venues.”
Rohr’s Triumph with Benin
While reflecting on Nigeria’s struggles, Rohr celebrated his success with Benin, having led The Cheetahs to qualify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco. This marks Benin’s first AFCON appearance since 2019.
Rohr also criticised the Super Eagles’ approach under coach Austin Eguavoen during the final stage of the AFCON qualifiers, which ended in disappointment for Nigeria.
“They must approach every game with the right mindset,” Rohr warned. “If they don’t, they could face further setbacks in the qualifiers.”
With six crucial matches left in Group C, the Super Eagles will have to dig deep to avoid the embarrassment of missing out on the World Cup for the second time in a row.
