The Nigerian Super Eagles find themselves in a precarious position in their quest for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, currently sitting fourth in Group C with a mere seven points. With four crucial matches remaining, the team faces a "win or bust" scenario, beginning with a vital home game against Rwanda on Saturday, September 6, at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo, followed by a high-stakes away clash against South Africa's Bafana Bafana on Tuesday, September 9, in Bloemfontein.

NFF President Ibrahim Gusau has drawn inspiration from the Super Falcons' recent 10th WAFCON title victory, a sensational comeback win over Morocco. He believes this triumph embodies the Nigerian spirit and can ignite a mindset shift within the men's national team, fueling their ambition to resurrect their World Cup qualifying campaign. Gusau stated, "Our girls rose from the 'dead', as they say, and fought to victory. This was an extraordinary performance... This victory will have positive implications for the men in their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying series."

The Super Eagles have officially opened their camp in Uyo for these pivotal qualifiers, with preparations intensifying. Captain William Troost-Ekong, defender Bruno Onyemaechi, and goalkeeper Amas Obasogie were among the first players to arrive. Head coach Eric Chelle, leading a 23-man squad, is focused on securing maximum points to revive Nigeria's hopes for a ticket to the expanded 2026 World Cup in North America, particularly given the team's inconsistent form, having won only one of their six qualifying matches so far and notably failing to secure a home victory.

For the critical encounter against Rwanda's Amavubi, Coach Chelle is expected to deploy a strong, fluid, and attacking 4-3-3 formation. The probable starting XI features Stanley Nwabali in goal, a defensive line of Ola Aina, Calvin Bassey, William Troost-Ekong, and Bruno Onyemaechi. The midfield trio will likely consist of Wilfred Ndidi providing stability, flanked by Frank Onyeka and Alex Iwobi, whose creativity will be vital. Leading the attack will be Victor Osimhen, supported by Samuel Chukwueze on the right and Moses Simon on the left. Star forward Ademola Lookman is a notable absence from the lineup due to ongoing club issues with Atalanta, impacting his match fitness. Midfielder Frank Onyeka reiterated the team's resolve, stating, "The feeling in camp is good. The players are ready... We know how important the game is, so we are ready and we are doing everything possible to prepare for the game, mentally and every other way."

The qualification landscape in Group C has become significantly more challenging after recent results. South Africa cemented their lead by defeating Lesotho 3-0 on Friday, bringing their total to 16 points from six matches. Similarly, Benin Republic boosted their chances with a 1-0 victory over Zimbabwe, moving to 11 points. This means Nigeria, currently on seven points, trails Rwanda (eight points), Benin (eleven points), and South Africa (sixteen points). The Super Eagles must win their remaining four games to have a realistic chance of qualifying, a task made tougher by South Africa's formidable lead and the quirks of 'home' advantage for South Africa against Lesotho and Zimbabwe, who played their 'home' matches on South African soil.

Despite the daunting task, Nigeria possesses a formidable squad. Victor Osimhen, fresh from his €75m move to Galatasaray, is in exceptional form, having scored 30 goals in 31 appearances in 2025, including two against Rwanda in March. Stopping Osimhen will be Rwanda's primary challenge. The team in Uyo is a blend of experience and youth, with 20-year-old Benjamin Fredrick being the youngest and 32-year-old captain William Troost-Ekong the eldest. Five players—goalkeeper Amas Obasogie, defenders Felix Agu and Benjamin Fredrick, midfielder Christantus Uche, and forward Cyriel Dessers—could make their competitive debuts. Nigeria and Rwanda have a history, with this being their ninth meeting; Nigeria holds the head-to-head advantage with three wins, four draws, and one defeat, though that lone loss was a recent 2-1 shocker in Uyo during an AFCON qualifier. The Super Eagles’ total 23-man squad is valued at approximately €335.45 million, with Osimhen (€70m), Ademola Lookman (€60m), Alex Iwobi (€28m), and Calvin Bassey (€25m) being the most valuable players.

The path to the 2026 FIFA World Cup is at a knife-edge for Nigeria. Failure to secure maximum points in their upcoming matches, especially against Rwanda and South Africa, could see Africa’s most populous nation miss out on football’s biggest stage for the second consecutive time, making these fixtures a true test of the team's resolve and Coach Chelle's managerial prowess.