Osimhen says Nigeria is “desperate” to qualify for the 2026 World Cup

Nigeria will be desperate to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup this month in order to avoid missing out on a second consecutive finals, according to Victor Osimhen.

With attacker Osimhen sidelined due to injury, the Super Eagles have drawn three of their first four games and are without a win in Group C.

Three years ago, the West Africans suffered what the 26-year-old called a “heartbreaking disappointment” when their bitter rivals, Ghana, advanced from a play-off and secured a spot in Qatar 2022.

“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,” Osimhen said to BBC Sport Africa.

“The nation and our generation cannot afford to be let down again after the significant setback we had in 2022.

“You don’t want to look back on your career and regret not participating in the World Cup. I don’t want to be like them.”

Nigeria, who are four points behind Rwanda at the top of the group, will visit Kigali on March 21 to play the Wasps before hosting bottom-place Zimbabwe four days later.

Eric Chelle is the third coach to manage the Super Eagles in a season that started in November 2023, and he has to see results right away in the six-team group.

Jose Peseiro managed two draws, one each against minnows Zimbabwe and Lesotho. His successor, Finidi George, left in June following a home tie with South Africa and a loss to Benin.

“There’s a new manager now and we are desperately looking forward to the game against Rwanda to try to correct all the previous mistakes we’ve made and put ourselves in a better position to qualify,” Osimhen explained.

Fixing past’mistakes’

The 2023 African Footballer of the Year, Osimhen, who has scored 23 goals and contributed 11 assists in 39 senior Nigerian games, expressed his disappointment at missing Qatar 2022.

His team, which includes Atalanta forward Ademola Lookman, Nantes winger Moses Simon, and Premier League regulars Ola Aina, Calvin Bassey, and Alex Iwobi, must guarantee a spot in the world championship in Canada, Mexico, and the United States next year.

Since the tournament’s inception in 1994, Nigeria has only missed two instances.

“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,” Osimhen said.

“Missing Qatar made me sad, just as my teammates, and our supporters had no idea how badly it hurt us.

“This is why we must correct the previous mistakes by giving everything to our country, our new coach and prove ourselves as being worthy.”

Following Malian’s historic appointment as the first non-Nigerian African to lead the Super Eagles, Chelle’s hiring in January sparked a mixed response.

After leading his country to a rare victory against Nigeria last year and reaching the quarterfinals of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon), Osimhen is excited to begin training under Chelle.

“I’ve spoken to him couple of times and clearly understand the objectives he has set for himself and for the players,” said the Galatasary employee.

“A coach alone isn’t enough to win football games. Players must also provide their best effort, be dedicated, and remember that we can all fly together to accomplish our objective.”

Handling ‘unpredictable’ African games

Tunisia, Uganda, Tanzania, and Nigeria, the runners-up of the 2023 Afcon, have been selected to compete in the 2025 championships’ group stage.

However, after losing to hosts Ivory Coast in the previous round, Osimhen is hoping that things will be different in Morocco later this year.

“It’s not going to be easy because African football is unpredictable, we all saw how some big teams went out early in Ivory Coast,” he added.

“Remembering that we haven’t won anything for Nigeria yet requires us to approach each game as it comes. That ought to provide the inspiration we need to advance a step farther.

However, given the World Cup commitments that come before it, we cannot devote too much attention to a tournament that will take place at the end of the year. We deal with that company first.”

Before Afcon 2025 begins on December 21, the 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign will come to an end. The final four games will be played in September and October.

If Nigeria finishes second, they could advance to the continental play-offs in November, but only the group winners are guaranteed a spot in the finals.

Despite being the top-ranked team in Group C and three-time continental champions, Osimhen has cautioned against complacency.

“Names no longer win matches and you must be ready and switched on for the duration of the games,” he explained.

“We’re going to play for our nation, our families, and the aspirations of nearly 300 million people.” The desire to keep ourselves and the nation intact is more important than the strain we are under.

“Playing at the World Cup is a priority and we must make it happen this time around.”