World Cup (Q): Will Nigeria thrive under heavy scrutiny again?

The Nigeria national team has been on their last chance for a while now it seems in 2026 World Cup qualifying…yet the Super Eagles endure. Apparently dead and buried earlier in the campaign, the African giants made a late charge to snatch a second chance in the regional qualifying playoff for the CAF region this week where they will begin with Gabon in the semifinals on Thursday.

The Warlord in Uyo ⚔️

Victor Osimhen led from the front with a ruthless hat-trick as the Super Eagles soared past Benin 🦅#SoarSuperEagles | #FIFAWCQ | #Naija4theWin pic.twitter.com/PMp7QRp92U

— 🇳🇬 Super Eagles (@NGSuperEagles) October 14, 2025

After leading his team to a massive 4-0 victory over Benin on the last matchday of the group stage, Victor Osimhen will now lead the Super Eagles at the playoff in Morocco in search of an opportunity to represent Africa in the inter-continental playoff tournament next March in Mexico.

But this Nigeria team is notorious for its inconsistency. Even though they are the highest-ranked side in the playoff, it feels like they are too unreliable for the label of favorites. But at the same time, we have seen this story before on numerous occasions where the team tends to respond when they are ruled out of contention, such as at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations where they reached the final.

Only needing two consecutive strong efforts to progress, it seems that the circumstances are ideal for Nigeria. A team that struggled throughout the group stage at home, this playoff will take place in Morocco away from cynical supporters who tend to expect too much. Also, with Osimhen in strong form for club and country this team has a proven superstar who can provide goals at any moment.

 

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Unfortunately for their opponents, the Super Eagles look focused…and healthy, at the right time. Osimhen and midfield captain Wilfred Ndidi are back to full form after regular injury spells. Head coach Eric Chelle appears to have adjusted after a trial by fire to begin his time in charge, where it feels like he has been on the hot seat from his first match.

The attack is fearsome with another key player, Ademola Lookman, back to receiving regular playing following a transfer saga with club Atalanta. Wingers Moses Simon and Samuel Chukwueze are ready to offer pace and dribbling and towering striker Tolu Arokodare has emerged as an intriguing option for Chelle whether from the start or off the bench.

With Ndidi and Alex Iwobi providing a balanced pairing in the center of the midfield, Nigeria appear to justify their status as the highest-ranked team in the playoff.

Trademark ESR. ♨️ pic.twitter.com/tvQcphE9gh

— Fulham Football Club (@FulhamFC) August 24, 2025

So other than consistency and a steady stream of injuries that created difficulty over the long campaign, where are the weaknesses in this team? One thing that may be exposed this week is the defense and goalkeeping departments.

After coming out of nowhere to become the Nigeria goalkeeper with his strong performances at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, Stanley Nwabali is struggling for club Chippa United in South Africa’s Betway Premiership. After a strong 2024-25 season for his club, doubts are emerging about his capabilities on such a big stage.

The defense is solid but rather unspectacular. Calvin Bassey continues to emerge as a key player but potential center back partners Semi Ajayi and team leader William Troost-Ekong are aging veterans who could be exposed. Now facing capable opponents with attacking superstars of their own, these players will be given difficult tests they rarely faced in the group stage.

But for Nigeria’s many rivals who have been holding out hope for a dramatic qualification failure, they know better than to count this team out despite their struggles for consistency. Once again, the Super Eagles are under heavy scrutiny but it these players understand that it is part of the job. When the big occasion arrives like the task ahead this week, Nigeria is battle-tested and now they are healthy to make them the team to beat.

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