Lazio midfielder Fisayo Dele-Bashiru says Nigeria are still capable of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup despite a poor start to their campaign.
The Super Eagles have won only one of their six matches in Group C and trail leaders South Africa by six points. Only the group winner is guaranteed a place at the finals in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
“I think all the players, the coaching staff and all the fans, we all have the same expectations for these upcoming World Cup games of the World Cup qualifiers. And that’s to win the games,” Dele told journalist Victor Ademola.
“We are in a difficult situation now. Seven points off the top. But I think everyone knows what we need to do and that’s what we are going to work towards. We’ve got a few more players coming today. So once the squad is complete, I think, then the work really starts. And I’m confident we’ll get the job done.”
Dele-Bashiru made his debut for the Super Eagles in an international friendly against Saudi Arabia. His first competitive start came under former gaffer Finidi George, when he scored a sumptuous goal against South Africa in Uyo in the first leg of the World Cup qualifiers.
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The 24-year-old has been capped seven times and scored two goals for Nigeria the equaliser against South Africa, who they face again in this window, and the winner against Libya during the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
The squad in Uyo is now complete following the arrival of Victor Osimhen, Raphael Onyedika, Tolu Arokodare, Samuel Chukwueze and Cyriel Dessers on Tuesday.
Super Eagles of Nigeria Fisayo Dele-Bashiru. Photo Credit: X
Osimhen trained with the rest of the team at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium pitch as preparations for Saturday’s clash with Rwanda continue. The team will then travel to Bloemfontein for Tuesday’s meeting with South Africa.
“The World Cup, that’s the biggest stage for a footballer in your career, especially playing for your country,” Dele-Bashiru added.
“It will be a very massive moment for not just me, I’m sure, all the players here. It will be a massive moment for all the staff and all the fans. So, yeah, that’s what we are working towards. God willing, we will win the next two World Cup qualifying games and then after that, we’ll take it from there.”
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Nigeria missed the 2022 tournament in Qatar. Only William Troost-Ekong, Wilfred Ndidi, Alex Iwobi and Chidozie Awaziem in the current squad have previously played at a World Cup.
