Victor Osimhen has expressed his determination to help the Super Eagles secure a spot at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. With Nigeria yet to win in the qualifiers, the team faces a crucial battle to avoid missing out for the second consecutive tournament.
The Super Eagles have endured a tough start to their qualifying campaign, managing only three draws and one defeat in their first four games. The three-time African champions now prepare to take on Rwanda and Zimbabwe this month in must-win fixtures.
Osimhen, who was part of the squad that failed to qualify for Qatar 2022, is eager to avoid a repeat. “It’s a dream of every footballer to play at the World Cup, and with our situation in the group, I am desperate, like other players, to make it to the 2026 tournament,” he told BBC Sport Africa.
He acknowledged the pain of missing out on the last World Cup and emphasized the importance of redemption. “We suffered a big disappointment in 2022, and we simply can’t let it happen again to us, the country, and our generation,” Osimhen said. “You don’t want to finish your career with regrets of not playing at the World Cup.”
Nigeria has only missed two editions of the tournament since their first appearance in 1994, but their current position in the qualifiers raises concerns. Osimhen believes the team must prove itself on the global stage. “People say we have a talented generation, but we can only confirm this talent when we play in a World Cup like those before us.”
The Galatasaray striker admitted the failure to qualify for Qatar 2022 had a deep emotional impact on the squad. “I was sad, like my teammates, to miss out, and our fans didn’t even understand how much it affected us.”
With a new coach in Eric Chelle, Osimhen is hopeful that Nigeria can correct past mistakes and make a strong push for qualification. “This is why we must give everything to our country, our new coach, and prove ourselves as being worthy.”
The upcoming matches against Rwanda and Zimbabwe could be decisive in determining Nigeria’s World Cup fate, and Osimhen remains focused on leading the charge for a successful qualification campaign.