Nigeria legend Jay-Jay Okocha remains confident in the Super Eagles’ ability to qualify for the 2026 World Cup, despite their difficult path and a narrow playoff berth, urging the team to overcome their self-inflicted challenges.
According to All Nigeria Soccer reporting, Nigeria football legend Austin ‘Jay-Jay’ Okocha has maintained his confidence in the Super Eagles’ ability to qualify for the 2026 World Cup, despite the team securing their play-off berth “the hard way.”
The three-time World Cup veteran’s comments come after Nigeria narrowly avoided elimination on the final matchday of the group qualifiers, relying on a late Frank Onyeka volley to seal a spot in the high-stakes play-offs.
Nigeria had endured a disappointing start to the campaign, collecting only three points from their opening four matches before mounting a late recovery under coach Eric Chelle.
Speaking on The Exchange with Femi Soneye, Okocha expressed his unwavering faith in the national team. “I am the worst person to ask this question because I can never say anything against the national team.
Once there is a glimmer of hope, of course I will believe and that is the beauty of football,” he said.
He admitted the team made the road difficult but trusted the players’ desire to succeed. “Sometimes you have to do it the hard way.
Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t. I still trust this team; I still believe it’s possible. We put ourselves in this situation, and we are the only ones who can bring ourselves out of it.”
Okocha concluded by saying the players understand the magnitude of the task: “The thing is, the players feel it the most. It’s their job… they also know how disappointed our fans would be if they don’t make it.”
Nigeria now faces at least three tough play-off matches in their quest to return to the World Cup stage.