Mali’s head coach, Tom Saintfiet, says it would be a shame if Nigeria’s Super Eagles fail to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The coach added that Nigeria is the “best team in Africa” and believes they have the world-class talent to qualify in the group stage.
He also said that Nigeria has been one of the strongest teams on the continent in recent years, even though they have not won a major trophy since lifting the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in 2013 under Stephen Keshi.
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In his words, “It will be a big disappointment, a big shock, if Nigeria doesn’t qualify with this potential, with these quality players.
Tom Saintfiet (Image credit: Getty Images)
“With all respect for the opponents, South Africa has a very good coach and a good team, but Nigeria have so much quality, so they have to do everything. They have to catch up on the points they lost. In that group, I think they will qualify.”
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“The Super Eagles are, not only now but in the last three or four years, the best team in Africa.”
With the current form challenges faced by the Super Eagles, Saintfiet is confident Nigeria will make it to the 2026 World Cup. He also believes they are among the favourites to win the next AFCON, given the quality of players in their team.
The Super Eagles are fifth in Group C with just three points from four games. They are yet to win a match and are four points behind leaders Rwanda, leaving them at the risk of missing out on the second World Cup in a row.
