Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen has emphasized that securing a spot at the 2026 FIFA World Cup is the team’s top priority, as Nigeria seeks to avoid missing out on back-to-back editions of the tournament.
“Playing at the World Cup is a priority, and we must make it happen this time around,” Osimhen told BBC Sport Africa.
The 2023 African Footballer of the Year expressed his determination to help Nigeria recover from a poor start in the qualifiers, where the team has managed only three draws in their first four matches.
“It’s every footballer’s dream to play at the World Cup, and given our situation in the group, I am desperate, like the other players, to qualify for the 2026 tournament,” he said.
Reflecting on Nigeria’s failure to qualify for Qatar 2022 after losing to Ghana in the play-offs, Osimhen insisted that the team cannot afford another disappointment.
“We suffered a big setback in 2022, and we simply can’t let it happen again—to us, the country, and our generation,” he added.
The Super Eagles currently trail Group C leaders Rwanda by four points and face a crucial double-header this month, first traveling to Kigali on March 21 before hosting Zimbabwe at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo on March 25.
Newly appointed head coach Eric Chelle, the first non-Nigerian African to manage the team, will be under immediate pressure to secure positive results.
“There’s a new manager now, and we are eagerly looking forward to the game against Rwanda to correct past mistakes and put ourselves in a stronger position to qualify,” said Osimhen, who has scored 23 goals in 39 appearances for Nigeria.
Having spoken with Chelle, who guided Mali to the quarter-finals of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, Osimhen expressed optimism about working under the Franco-Malian coach.
“I’ve had a few conversations with him and clearly understand his objectives for himself and the players,” he noted.
However, the striker stressed that success will depend not only on the coach but also on the players’ commitment and performance.
“It takes more than a coach to win matches. Players must be at their best, show dedication, and understand that we all have to work together to reach our goal,” he added.
Osimhen also emphasized that Nigeria’s current generation, which includes fellow African Player of the Year winner Ademola Lookman, must prove their talent on the world stage.
“People say we have a talented squad, but we can only confirm that by playing at a World Cup, just like those before us did,” he said.
He acknowledged the pain of missing the 2022 tournament, adding, “Our fans may not have understood how much it affected us, but it hurt deeply.”
While Nigeria is also preparing for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, Osimhen insists the World Cup qualifiers remain the primary focus.
“We can’t shift our attention to a tournament at the end of the year when we have urgent World Cup qualifiers ahead. That’s our first priority,” he said.
With only the group winners securing automatic qualification, and a potential play-off route available for second-place teams, Osimhen warned against complacency.
“Names don’t win matches. You have to be fully prepared and focused for the entire game. We are playing for our country, our families, and the hopes of almost 300 million people. It’s not pressure—it’s the desire to avoid letting ourselves and the country down,” he concluded.
