Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen has expressed his determination to help Nigeria secure a spot at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The 2013 Africa Cup of Nations champions currently sit fifth in their qualification group, with just four points from a possible 12.
Their upcoming matches against Rwanda and Zimbabwe in March have now become must-win encounters if they are to keep their World Cup hopes alive.
Osimhen, who played a key role in Nigeria’s qualification for the 2025 AFCON, is eager to help the Super Eagles bounce back and secure their place at football’s biggest stage.
“You have to give everything you know. It’s a dream of every youngster to be at the World Cup. Mine is no exception,” Osimhen told BBC journalist Oluwashina Okeleji.
Nigeria’s qualification campaign has been disappointing so far, with draws against Lesotho, Zimbabwe, and South Africa, as well as a shocking defeat to Benin Republic.
Their poor start led to a coaching change, with Eric Chelle now taking charge of the team.
Despite their struggles, Osimhen remains confident in the squad’s ability to turn things around.
“We are really looking forward to the game against Rwanda to correct the mistakes we’ve made in the past World Cup qualifiers. So for me, I think we will be ready,” he added.
The Super Eagles will take on Rwanda on March 21 in Kigali before returning home to face Zimbabwe on March 24.
With Osimhen leading the attack, they will be desperate to claim maximum points and reignite their qualification hopes.
Having missed out on the 2022 World Cup in Qatar after a playoff defeat to Ghana, Nigeria cannot afford another setback. Failing to qualify for back-to-back tournaments would be disastrous for a nation with such a rich footballing history.
Their journey continues next month, and as Osimhen has stated, the Super Eagles will be aiming to make a statement in those crucial matches.
