Yemi Olanrewaju, former Enyimba FC head coach has attributed the Super Eagles’ poor performance in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers to a lack of players’ commitment.
Nigeria, three-time African champions, are in danger of missing out on the tournament as they currently sit fourth in their group, five points adrift of leaders South Africa.
Initially tipped as favourites to top the group, the Super Eagles have underperformed, managing just one win against Rwanda, drawing with Zimbabwe, Lesotho, and South Africa, and losing to Benin.
Soccernet revealed that with only four matches left to play, Nigeriaโs chances of qualifying for the World Cup appear slim.
Three coaches have taken charge of the team during the qualification campaign: Jose Peseiro, Finidi George, and the current coach, Eric Chelle.
Peseiro resigned after leading Nigeria to a second-place finish at the last AFCON, while Finidi was dismissed in 2024 following an underwhelming draw with South Africa and a defeat to Benin.
Though Finidi faced heavy criticism for the teamโs results, his former assistant and successor at Enyimba, Olanrewaju, has come to his defense, insisting the players are to blame.
Speaking to Lagos Talks, Olanrewaju revealed that while players from other countries were in training camps, Super Eagles stars were seen partying in Lagos.
Excerpt:
“When Finidi was the Super Eagles coach, six of the regulars were not available for the game, and the game was in the summer.
“Nigerians actually want the World Cup, but the players don’t want to go to the World Cup. They are not interested, take it to the bank.
“Just imagine that it was Finidi that drew against Zimbabwe at home or any home-based coach, you’re dead. But nobody talks about it. I always tell my players that they need to have character.
“As players, without a coach, there are some games you should never lose. Finidi lost to Benin, but is it only Benin that cost us the World Cup? Look at the gapโฆ I usually don’t miss Super Eagles training because Uyo is close to Aba.
“As at four days before the game, the players had an important World Cup qualifier, almost all the players in Europe had already reported to their national teams despite their hectic schedule.
“Hakimi already reported to camp for Morocco, but our players were busy clubbing in Lagos when camp had opened.”
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