Super Eagles coach Finidi George has pledged to exert maximum effort to secure Nigeria's qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
George was recently appointed as the substantive head coach of Nigeria's senior national team, replacing Jose Peseiro, whose contract ran out in February after overseeing Nigeria's second-place finish at the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON 2024) in Ivory Coast.
Prior to his appointment as the Portuguese's successor, George served as the interim coach and led the Super Eagles during the international friendlies against Ghana and Mali in March. The Enyimba FC manager secured victory against the Black Stars of Ghana but suffered defeat against the Eagles of Mali.
The results of the two games were met with a lot of discontent among many Nigerian football fans who deemed the former Ajax man not competent enough to assume office as the next Nigeria coach.
That did not deter the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) from confirming his appointment. The 53-year-old is now faced with the arduous task of qualifying Nigeria for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, and has been presented with an opportunity to repay the faith reposed in him by the NFF and endear himself to fans of the Super Eagles.
The three-time African champions have yet to record a win in the qualifiers, having drawn their first two games against Lesotho and Zimbabwe.
George will make his official debut as the coach of the Super Eagles in a match against South Africa's Bafana Bafana on Friday June 7, and will also face the Squirrels of Benin a week later.
George is convinced, though, that with the support of Nigerians, the Super Eagles will meet all set targets.
Finidi George aims for World Cup qualification amidst collective responsibility
As Nigeria's Super Eagles gear up for their pivotal World Cup qualification clashes against South Africa and Benin, George underscores the collective responsibility of all Nigerians in attaining success.
With the burden of expectation firmly on his shoulders, George is resolute in his mission to guide the team to triumph and secure World Cup qualification.
Encouraged by the readiness and dedication of the players who are keen to rectify their absence from the previous edition, George remains optimistic.
His meticulous preparation involves vigilant scrutiny of their opponents, harnessing the wealth of resources available in today's interconnected world.
According to George, as reported by Complete Sports, “The World Cup qualification matches against South Africa and Benin Republic is a collective responsibility for all Nigerians. I know I am in charge now and the heavy responsibility is on me to win the two World Cup matches.”
He continued, affirming, “I will do my best to ensure success and qualify for the World Cup. I am also in touch with the players and they are ready and willing to give their all having missed out in the last edition held in Qatar. In terms of having knowledge of our opponents, I have been following them.”
Highlighting the importance of support from all quarters, George added, “We need prayers and support from everybody, this is our own we can do it and do it well. I watch our players weekly as they play in their various clubs. Honestly, my target is to win the two matches and not to be judged with the two international friendly games played.”
Nigeria vs South Africa head-to-head
To the uninitiated, Nigeria and South Africa are so far apart on the map it boggles the mind that football games between the two generate so much passion.
Yet there is nothing contrived about the rivalry shared by these continental giants — spilling over from diplomatic tensions into the sporting arena and beyond, going all the way back to South Africa's apartheid days — and as they take on each other in June's 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, there will be no shortage of intensity and hostility.
There have been a total of 15 previous meetings between the Super Eagles and Bafana Bafana, with the Super Eagles winning eight times, Bafana Bafana winning two, and five matches ending in draws.
Their first meeting was on October 10, 1992, in a FIFA World Cup qualifier, with Nigeria comfortably defeating South Africa 4-0.
Their last meeting was at the last AFCON in Ivory Coast, with Nigeria emerging victors via penalty shootouts after the game ended 1-1.
Nigeria vs Benin head-to-head
Nigeria's footballing prowess has been evident in their encounters with Benin, with a history of dominance that spans several decades.
The Super Eagles have faced Benin a total of 16 times, emerging victorious in 13 matches, drawing two, and suffering just one defeat.
The rivalry between the two teams dates back to their first meeting, an international friendly played on 14 February 1977.
In a display of sheer dominance, Nigeria secured a resounding 7-0 victory over their West African counterparts, setting the tone for their future encounters.
Since then, Nigeria maintained their superiority over Benin, consistently delivering impressive performances on the pitch.
Their last meeting, during the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations, showcased Nigeria's continued dominance as they clinched a hard-fought 1-0 victory.
As the two teams prepare to face off once again, Nigeria will undoubtedly seek to extend their dominance over Benin and further solidify their status as a footballing powerhouse in the region.
Nigeria's game with Benin will be played at the Félix-Houphouët-Boigny stadium in Ivory Coast.
Finidi George's quest: Can he lead Nigeria to World Cup glory?
As the Super Eagles gear up for their next World Cup qualification campaign, all eyes are on newly-appointed coach Finidi George to lead the team to success and secure a coveted ticket to the global stage.
Nigeria's most recent appearance at the FIFA World Cup was in 2018, where the Super Eagles showcased their talent on the world stage in Russia.
However, the team narrowly missed out on qualification for the Qatar World Cup in 2022 after a heartbreaking defeat to Ghana.
With six appearances in the World Cup to their name, dating back to their debut in 1994, Nigeria has established itself as a force to be reckoned with in African football.
The team's best performance came in their maiden appearance, where they advanced to the second round in 1994, capturing the hearts of football fans around the world with their skill and flair.
Now, as Nigeria sets its sights on the next World Cup, the question on everyone's mind is whether Finidi George can guide the Super Eagles to qualification.
