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SUPER EAGLES MUST LEARN A LESSON FROM HISTORY
BY KUNLE SOLAJA.
The journey is gradually coming to an end. Fifty four countries began the race to the 2018 World Cup in Russia of which 20 advanced to the final qualifying stage. Of the 20, the boys have been separated from the men as five are already out, leaving 15 still in contention.
The eliminated teams are Guinea and Libya in Group A, Cameroon and Algeria in Group B and Congo in Group E. Of the remainder, Nigeria is nearest to picking a slot this weekend and clock ticks down to the decisive hour. A win over Zambia earns the Super Eagles the ticket to Russia.
It looks easy, considering the Nigerian side playing at home against a team it has defeated away from home.
Yet, it is very dicey considering that football history is replete with tales of teams that stumbled at the cusp of victories.
Perhaps one example should be offered. France playing in UEFA Group 6 qualifying series for USA ’94 needed just a point from its last two home matches against Israel and Bulgaria.
The French team was almost certain to qualify. Then came a shock 2-3 loss to the visiting Israel.
France slipped from brink of picking 1994 World Cup ticket following a shock defeat by Bulgaria in Paris.
That set up a final showdown with Bulgaria in Paris. France needed just a draw to qualify and Eric Cantona gave the team the lead in the 30th minute.
But barely five minutes later, Emil Kostadinov equalized for Bulgaria. The 1-1 score line was still okay for France.
They held on till the 90th minute. Then a miss kick by France David Ginola found Bulgaria’s Emil Kostadinov who lashed the winner almost on the dot of full time.
This is a lesson for the Super Eagles to be cautiously optimistic. The Zambian side beaten at home has since been overhauled and the subsequent results ever since are showing.
The Super Eagles and their handlers as well as the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) should also take a look at the disciplinary records. In the preceding four matches, at least a Nigerian player is booked. Some of the cautions were avoidable.
Victor Moses was given a yellow card for removing his shirt while celebrating his opening goal in the 3-1 defeat of Algeria last year.
Victor Moses was cautioned in the match against Algeria for indecent exposure just it happened to Emmanuel Amuneke 20 years ago in Nigeria’s World Cup qualification duel with Kenya in Lagos. It is a well known fact that players are not expected to pull off their shirts during matches.
Odion Ighalo was cautioned for showing off inscription in his inner wears after scoring against Cameroon. Messages of any kind are no longer allowed to be displayed while on the field.
It is an age-long rule that even amateurs are aware of. Technical handlers need to inform the players. In the last match with Cameroon, Odion Ighalo was not just cautioned; he was seen arguing with the referee that he never removed his shirt.
What was his offence? He had a written message in his under vest which has also been outlawed.
FIFA has for some time outlawed any form of communication on players’ under vests, be it social, political or religious.
Ighalo had this message written in his inner wears “Thank you Jesus” which he displayed after scoring the opening goal. This must be avoided.
But more importantly is that of crowd behaviour. It is essential to support the Super Eagles with every enthusiasm.
But encroaching on the field incurs fines which roll into millions of naira. Such fine which the NFF is supposed to pay would have been better spent on developmental initiatives and on the players.
Nigerian fans need to change attitudes and give the country a better sporting image.
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Morocco Handed Boost as Brazil Lose Only Specialist Right Back Ahead of World Cup Clash
Morocco have received an early boost ahead of their FIFA World Cup 2026 Group C opener against Brazil after the South Americans lost their only specialist right back, Wesley, to injury.
The AS Roma defender was ruled out of the tournament after suffering a left thigh muscle injury during Brazil’s 2-1 international friendly victory over Egypt in Cleveland on Saturday.
The Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) confirmed on Sunday that medical examinations revealed damage to the adductor muscle in Wesley’s left thigh, forcing him to withdraw from Carlo Ancelotti’s 26-man World Cup squad.
His absence leaves Brazil with a significant selection headache ahead of Saturday’s showdown with Morocco. Wesley was the only natural right back in the squad, meaning Ancelotti may now have to rely on makeshift options such as versatile defenders Danilo and Ibanez to fill the position.
“The MRI scan revealed a muscle injury to the adductor muscle in his left thigh,” the CBF said in a statement.
“The CBF regrets the injury. Wesley is a player much loved by the squad and will always be considered part of this team as it seeks to win its sixth World Cup title.”
Brazil have moved quickly to replace the injured defender, calling up Atalanta midfielder Ederson, who is expected to join the squad in the United States on Monday.
For Morocco, the development could offer a tactical advantage as the Atlas Lions prepare to face the five-time world champions in what is expected to be one of the most eagerly anticipated matches of the group stage.
The North Africans, who reached the semi-finals of the 2022 World Cup and continue to be regarded as one of the strongest teams outside Europe and South America, will be looking to exploit any defensive uncertainty on Brazil’s right flank.
Brazil, chasing a record-extending sixth World Cup title, are grouped alongside Morocco, Haiti and Scotland in Group C. The opening encounter between Morocco and Brazil is expected to play a key role in determining the eventual group winner.
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Algeria have extended the contract of national team coach Vladimir Petkovic and his technical staff until 2028, the country’s football federation said on Sunday, days before the World Cup in North America, with his previous deal due to expire immediately after the tournament.
Petkovic, who took charge in February 2024, has overseen a strong turnaround, leading Algeria to 21 wins, four draws and three defeats in 28 matches and guiding the team to qualification for the 2026 World Cup, after their absence from the 2018 and 2022 editions.
Algeria also reached the quarter-finals of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations after consecutive group-stage exits in 2021 and 2023, while climbing from 43rd to 28th in the FIFA world rankings and from seventh to fourth in Africa during the Bosnian’s tenure.
The federation said the extension reflected “stability and confidence in the work accomplished”, with Algeria set to open their World Cup Group J campaign against Argentina on June 17 before facing Jordan and Austria.
-Reuters
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Multi-champions Brazil, Argentina and Germany all won their preparatory games for the 2026 FIFA World Cup on Saturday, although by small margins, with former champion England and hopeful Portugal also securing victories.
The busy day of friendlies saw some of the biggest stars on display, with Cristiano Ronaldo, Vini Jr and Mohamed Salah playing, but three-time champion Argentina opted to rest Lionel Messi against Honduras in Texas in a game where forward Lautaro Martinez shone with a goal and one assist for a 2-0 win. Simeone scored the second for Argentina.
Five-time champion Brazil beat Egypt 2-1 in Cleveland with Newcastle midfielder Bruno Guimaraes scoring early from inside the box and Lyon forward Endrick adding in the second half after an assist from Barcelona’s Raphinha. Zico scored for Egypt, while Salah played the first half and seemed to be in good form.
There was some drama with Brazil and AS Roma right back Wesley leaving the field in tears after what appeared to be a serious muscle injury in the left leg, which might take him out of the World Cup. Teams can change players up to one day before their first games.
Harry Kane’s first-half header earned England a 1-0 win over New Zealand in Tampa, while there were also victories for Scotland and Belgium as teams fine-tune ahead of the tournament’s kickoff next week.
With England manager Thomas Tuchel rotating his entire team at halftime and handing minutes to 22 players in the scorching 32-degree Celsius (90-degree Fahrenheit) heat, the result was secondary to the process.
But Kane’s clinical finish with a glancing header into the bottom corner from Djed Spence’s cross offered a timely reminder of the skipper’s importance to their hopes of winning a second Cup.
Four-time world champions Germany secured a ninth win in a row with a 2-1 victory over World Cup co-hosts the United States in Chicago.
Germany’s Kai Havertz (left) challenges United States captain Tyler Adams during the international friendly match between the USA and Germany at Soldier Field in Chicago, Illinois, on June 6, 2026. Photo: Talia Sprague/IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters.
Kai Havertz headed in Joshua Kimmich’s free kick to give them a second-minute lead, but the Americans snatched a stunning equaliser when Antonee Robinson thundered in a volley after defender Jonathan Tah had headed away a corner.
But Leroy Sane rifled in from 12 metres to restore Germany’s lead in the 57th minute.
Portugal defeated Chile 2-1 in an ill-tempered clash in Oeiras, where both teams finished with 10 men as Rafael Leao and Ivan Roman received their marching orders.
Goncalo Guedes gave the home side the lead before Bruno Fernandes added a second from outside the box. Lucas Cepeda scored a late consolation for Chile.
“We were superior in the 90 minutes, we managed to control the game very well, especially having a lot of the ball in the last third,” Fernandes told RTP.
Striker Romelu Lukaku continued his comeback from injury for Belgium with 25 minutes off the bench as they enjoyed a 5-0 victory over 10-man Tunisia in Brussels.
Leandro Trossard, Charles De Ketelaere, Kevin De Bruyne, Dodi Lukebakio and Nicolas Raskin scored the goals as Lukaku grabbed an assist.
“We wanted a good performance in front of our fans,” Belgium coach Rudi Garcia said. “It is a good preparation for the World Cup, we know this team can do great things.”
A much-changed Scotland scored all their goals in the first half as they romped to a 4-0 success over Bolivia in New Jersey.
Che Adams bagged two to go with strikes from Lawrence Shankland and Scott McTominay in an impressive performance.
Switzerland and Australia drew 1-1, while Bosnia and Herzegovina were held to the same scoreline by Panama.
-Reuters
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