Nigeria’s star striker, Victor Osimhen, has declared that he and his teammates are “desperate” to secure a spot at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, determined not to suffer another heartbreaking miss after failing to qualify for the last edition.
The Super Eagles have struggled in their qualifying campaign so far, failing to secure a single win in four matches. Osimhen, who missed previous games due to injury, is now back and fully focused on changing Nigeria’s fortunes.
Reflecting on Nigeria’s painful elimination at the hands of Ghana in 2022, Osimhen stressed the importance of avoiding a repeat.
“It’s every footballer’s dream to play at the World Cup, and with the situation we are in now, I am desperate—just like every other player—to ensure we qualify for 2026,” Osimhen told BBC Sport Africa.
“Missing out on Qatar 2022 was a huge disappointment, and we cannot afford to let that happen again—to ourselves, to the country, and to this generation of players. You don’t want to finish your career with regrets. That’s not something I want for myself.”
With Nigeria sitting four points behind group leaders Rwanda, the road to qualification remains challenging. The Super Eagles will travel to Kigali on March 21 to face the Wasps before hosting Zimbabwe four days later.
The Nigerian team has undergone multiple managerial changes during the campaign, with Eric Chelle now at the helm as the third coach to take charge since qualification began in November 2023.
Under previous manager José Peseiro, Nigeria recorded disappointing draws against Lesotho and Zimbabwe. His successor, Finidi George, lasted only a short while, departing after a frustrating loss to Benin and a draw with South Africa.
Osimhen is hopeful that Chelle, who led Mali to a quarter-final finish at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations and oversaw a rare victory over Nigeria last year, will bring stability and inspire the squad.
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“There’s a new manager now, and we are eager to correct our past mistakes, starting with the Rwanda game,” Osimhen said. “We need to put ourselves in a better position to qualify.”
A Star-Studded Squad with a Point to Prove
Osimhen, the reigning African Footballer of the Year, has been instrumental for Nigeria, scoring 23 goals and providing 11 assists in 39 appearances. He believes the team’s immense talent must translate into results on the global stage.
With players like Ademola Lookman (Atalanta), Moses Simon (Nantes), and Premier League regulars Ola Aina, Calvin Bassey, and Alex Iwobi, expectations remain high. However, Osimhen insists talent alone isn’t enough—they must deliver.
“People say this is a talented generation, but we can only prove that by qualifying for the World Cup. That’s what the great Nigerian teams before us did,” he noted. “Missing out on Qatar hurt us deeply, even if the fans didn’t fully see how much it affected us. This time, we must get it right.”
A Determined Mindset for the Final Stretch
Osimhen has already spoken with Chelle and is eager to start working under his leadership. He emphasized that while coaching is crucial, the players must step up and take responsibility for their performances.
“A coach alone doesn’t win matches. Players must be fully committed and perform at their best. We have to remember that we are representing millions of Nigerians. If we do our part, we can achieve our goal,” Osimhen concluded.
With time running out in the qualification race, Nigeria’s World Cup hopes rest on how well they can turn their desperation into decisive action.
