Super Eagles stand-in captain, Kenneth Omeruo, has assured that Nigeria will not falter in their bid to qualify for the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Mexico and Canada, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.
The Eagles missed the last edition of the competition in Qatar in 2022 and are currently third in Group C with two points behind leaders Rwanda and South Africa, who are on four and three points respectively.
The 30-year-old, who has featured for the Eagles at two World Cups and three Africa Cup of Nations tournaments, said the Eagles were determined to give their all when the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers resume in June.
This comes after their loss to Mali in an international friendly game played on Tuesday in Marrakech, Morocco.
Goals by El Bilal Toure and Kamouri Doumbia in each half, handed Mali their first win over Nigeria in 49 years on Tuesday.
The defeat came on the back of last Friday’s 2-1 win over arch-rivals Ghana at the same venue.
“We went into the match against Mali determined to win, just as we did against Ghana,” Omeruo said in statement made available to our correspondent by the Nigerian Football Federation.
“In the end, they took their chances and we failed to take ours, that is football. You just have to take the chances that come your way.
“June is only a few weeks away. We are focused on the matches against South Africa and Benin Republic.
“Many players in the group have not played at the World Cup before and they see this as the big opportunity to be there. We cannot afford to let ourselves and the nation down.”
Nigeria will host South Africa in Uyo and then confront Benin Republic away in Cotonou in the international window of June 3 to 11 on the match-days three and four of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign.