Legendary Nigerian veteran Austin “Jay Jay” Okocha believes the Super Eagles can successfully navigate the upcoming World Cup play-offs and book a ticket to next summer’s Mundial, Footynaija.com reports.
A mixed campaign during the CAF qualification series means Nigeria now have to bulldoze their way through the continental and inter-confederation play-offs for a World Cup ticket after missing out on automatic qualification.
Their first test is around the corner, with a tricky semi-final game against an in-form Gabon side led by experienced striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang slated for Thursday November 13 in Rabat, Morocco.
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Quizzed about the Super Eagles’ chances of securing what will be Africa’s tenth ticket to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Okocha, who represented Nigeria at three Mundials, threw his weight behind the team.
What Jay Jay Okocha said about the Super Eagles
“I am the worst person to ask this question because I can never say anything against the national team,” the former Paris Saint-Germain star said on The Exchange with Femi Soneye.
“Once there is a glimmer of hope, of course I will believe and that is the beauty of football. Sometimes you have to do it the hard way. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t.
“I still trust this team; I still believe it’s possible. We put ourselves in this situation, and we are the only ones who can bring ourselves out of it.
“The thing is, the players feel it the most. It’s their job, they don’t have any other job at the moment, so of course they would all love to play in the World Cup.
“They also know how disappointed our fans would be if they don’t make it. From their last outing, you could see the desire to correct their mistakes. They have given us hope.”
Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle has named a strong squad for the upcoming games and after that ruthless thumping of Benin last month, the Nigerians will be confident of doing the job in Morocco.
