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Nigerian football legend Segun Odegbami believes the Super Eagles have what it takes to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup after their commanding 4-0 victory over Benin Republic in Uyo on Tuesday night.
The former Green Eagles captain was full of praise for the team’s display, saying their performance showed both quality and determination.
“We did very well. I am happy with the boys, and I think we deserved to win and we won very well and we now have an opportunity to qualify,” Odegbami said after the match.
“I think we have a very good chance to qualify from these play-offs to make it to the World Cup.”
Naija News reports that the win, powered by Victor Osimhen’s brilliant hat-trick and a stoppage-time goal from Frank Onyeka, secured Nigeria’s place in the African play-offs. The team finished with 15 points and a +7 goal difference, ranking among the best four second-placed teams.
It was a much-needed boost for the Super Eagles after a shaky qualifying campaign that had left fans worried about missing consecutive World Cups for the first time since 1994.
Odegbami, who helped Nigeria lift its first Africa Cup of Nations title in 1980 and also played at the 1976 Olympics, said the team has enough talent and character to go all the way.
“With the players we have, I believe we can make it. They just need to keep their focus and play with the same hunger,” he added.
The Super Eagles will now face another second-placed side, Gabon, in a CAF play-offs that will determine who qualifies for a 6-team FIFA Play-offs which will produce two teams for the expanded 48-team World Cup.
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