Table of Contents
- Onuoha's Disappointment
- Blocking Calls from Friends
- Success Against Benin Republic
- Hope for Playoffs
Former Manchester City defender, Nedum Onuoha, has described the inability of Nigeria’s Super Eagles to secure an automatic spot in the 2026 FIFA World Cup as a “significant disappointment.”
Onuoha also confessed that he intended to block calls from his Ghanaian friends had Nigeria not secured a place in the playoffs for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
He made these remarks after Nigeria defeated the Benin Republic 4-0 in a World Cup qualifier in Uyo, earning a spot in the playoffs.
Speaking on ESPN, Onuoha stated, “I can confirm that I didn’t believe it at all. If anything, I was preparing to block the numbers of my Ghanaian friends and others from West Africa because the backlash we would have faced for not qualifying for the 48-team tournament would have been overwhelming.
“While they may not have secured guaranteed qualification now, at least the hope remains. I wish it hadn’t come to this, especially considering that Nigeria was in the final of the African Nations Cup not long ago. It’s disappointing to see them drawing half of their matches in the qualifying campaign against teams they are expected to defeat.
“I think it is a significant disappointment. However, thankfully, the story isn’t over yet, even if some may argue otherwise.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Nedum Onuoha disappointed with Nigeria's performance?
Onuoha is disappointed because Nigeria's Super Eagles failed to secure an automatic qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which he views as a significant setback given their previous success in the African Nations Cup.
What does Onuoha plan to do if Nigeria had not qualified for the playoffs?
He mentioned that he planned to block calls from his Ghanaian friends to avoid the grief they would express over Nigeria's failure to qualify for the World Cup.
What was Nigeria's recent achievement in the World Cup qualifiers?
Nigeria recently achieved a 4-0 victory against the Benin Republic in a World Cup qualifier, which secured their place in the playoffs.
