Former Super Eagles defender Abbey George expressed frustration over the team’s performance
against Zimbabwe in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying match.
In an interview on Brila FM’s ‘No Holds Barred’ show with Ifeanyi Udeze, George stated, “The coach and players must take full responsibility.”
“I believe Chelle made a mistake with the selection. He tried to accommodate all his best players rather than picking the best team.
“There’s no reason to play Ola Aina, who’s been excellent at right-back, at left-back when
Onyemaechi is on the bench. The same goes for Lookman and Iwobi, who were played out of
position.”
He further added, “As players on the field, with just five minutes remaining, there’s no need to be
pushing forward. They should have held onto the 1-0 lead and secured the three points.
“Players need to step up. Experienced players from big European teams should know how to manage a
crucial game. They need to show some humility.”
When asked if he believes Nigeria will still qualify for the World Cup, George responded, “Our
qualification depends on other results as well, so it’s not entirely in our control.
“Although it’s still possible, we must win the next match and hope the other outcomes work in our favor.”
The draw against Zimbabwe left Nigeria in 4th place, 6 points behind South Africa, with only 4
games remaining.
