Former Nigerian international, Edema Fuludu has encouraged the Super Eagles to use their promising Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), qualification campaign as a springboard for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers.

Fuludu believes that securing a ticket to the AFCON 2025 in Morocco could boost the team’s morale and positively impact their World Cup qualifying efforts.

Currently, the Super Eagles need just one point from their remaining two matches—against Benin and Rwanda—to secure their spot at AFCON 2025 in Morocco.

Celebrations! William Troost-Ekong joins Fisayo Dele-Bashiru in jubilation after the latter’s goal in the AFCON 2025 Qualifying match between Nigeria and Libya. Photo | X

However, their World Cup qualifying campaign presents a far greater challenge.

With only 3 points from 4 matches, Nigeria sits at the bottom of the group, trailing Rwanda, South Africa, and Benin who each have 7 points, and Lesotho with 5 points.

Only the group winner will automatically advance to the World Cup.

Benin’s #8 Hassane Imourane fights for the ball with Nigeria’s #11 Samuel Chukwueze during the FIFA 2026 World Cup qualifiers group C football match. (Photo by ISSOUF SANOGO/AFP via Getty Images)

In an interview with Brila.net, Fuludu acknowledged the uphill battle but remains optimistic about their chances.

“The World Cup qualifier is an entirely different story,” Fuludu explained. “We have a lot of work to do, but qualifying for the Africa Cup of Nations has become easier, so we need to put in the work.

“We just need to finish it up (AFCON qualifiers) and get excited and maybe the excitement can also move us towards executing the last games of the World Cup qualifiers and something good will just come up but it’s a difficult task.”

The World Cup qualifiers will resume in March 2025, with Nigeria set to face Rwanda in the first of their remaining six fixtures.