Super Eagles striker Terem Moffi says he remains confident the team can still pull off a miracle, despite Nigeria’s slim hopes of reaching the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The OGC Nice forward, who returns to the national team after more than a year, believes the Super Eagles can still qualify if they win their remaining fixtures and get a bit of help from other teams.
“We the guys, we’re really confident about qualifying for the World Cup. We have to do our part and wait for the result of the other teams. We are confident that things will go our way,” Moffi told NFF TV.
Nigeria currently sit third in Group C, four points behind leaders Benin and South Africa. With only two matches left to play, the Super Eagles must win both games convincingly and hope that Benin and South Africa drop crucial points.
Terem Moffi. Photo Credit: Getty Images
That scenario looks highly unlikely, especially as South Africa are set to host Zimbabwe and Rwanda in their final fixtures.
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Under the new CAF qualification format for the 2026 World Cup, only the group winners automatically advance, while the four best second-placed teams from the nine groups will proceed to the playoffs for a final continental slot.
Even that route now appears closed for Nigeria, the latest second-placed ranking shows Gabon and Madagascar on 19 points, while Burkina Faso and Cameroon both have 18. With Nigeria only able to reach a maximum of 17 points, the Super Eagles’ playoff hopes have effectively vanished.
Moffi’s return, however, gives Nigeria another attacking option as he competes with Victor Osimhen and Tolu Arokodare for a place in the starting lineup.
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The Super Eagles face Lesotho in Polokwane on Friday before rounding off their qualifying campaign next week.
