By Korede James
Kenneth Omeruo has explained how he and his Super Eagles teammates can get their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign back on track.
The Super Eagles are currently in fifth place on three points after four games in African qualifying Group C after failing to win any of their first four fixtures.
The AFCON 2023 runners-up are four points behind Rwanda, South Africa and Benin, who are first, second and third respectively.
For qualification to be achieved, the Eagles must win their remaining six games and hope results from other games favour them.
Speaking on ‘Off The Pitch’, a forum he hosted on his X handle on Monday, and anchored by former Super Eagles media officer, Toyin Ibitoye, Omeruo expressed confidence that qualification is still achievable.
“For me, I strongly believe we can win those games and qualify, early preparations would be key to help us achieve it,” Omeruo said on the forum that also had Wilfred Ndidi, Odion Ighalo, Asisat Oshoala and John Ogu.
“Starting from the NFF, the players, we have to start thinking about the games andwe have to put our focus towards these games and start to prepare early.
“If it’s an away game we need officials to go there few days before the players to make sure everything is organised: the bus, the pitch where we would train.
“So I think if everyone does their job and we go there with high spirits we would achieve and win our remaining games.”
On Monday, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) unveiled Eric Chelle as Super Eagles new head coach.
Commenting on the arrival of Chelle, Omeruo believes the former Mali coach will succeed.
“With the new coach it’s like an open trial for some of us that have not been playing regularly. We have to show the manager that we deserve a place in the team if invited,” the AFCON 2013 winner said.
“Everyone will be serious and judging from how Mali played against us in the friendly and the AFCON 2023, I saw a team that is organised. I think he has something to give to the team and with the talent that we have he wouldn’t have any problem to make us play the way he wants us to play.
“Also, kudos to Austin Eguavoen for those games because when he took over confidence was a bit low and now we’ve got our confidence back and when we are at our best no country can stand us.”
