Former Super Eagles stars Emmanuel Amuneke and Abiodun Obafemi have cautioned Nigeria against premature celebration following FIFA’s deduction of three points from South Africa in the 2026 World Cup African qualifiers.
Cyber Reporters notes the sanction, imposed for fielding an ineligible player, has reignited Group C, but Amuneke and Obafemi stress that qualification remains a challenging task for Nigeria.
Amuneke urged the Super Eagles and fans to remain grounded, emphasizing that the three-point deduction does not directly benefit Nigeria.
“We must be realistic. Even with the removal of three points from South Africa, we are still behind.
“The players should not be celebrating because they did not take three points directly. They must focus on winning their remaining game,” He said in an interview.
Obafemi echoed Amuneke’s caution, describing FIFA’s ruling as a lifeline, stressing that Super Eagles’ qualification hopes depend on their own results.
“This is a lifeline. The ball is in our court to do the needful, and that is to win the remaining two matches. Any slip and we are out,” he said in an interview.
Both Amuneke and Obafemi highlighted the team’s early stumbles as a reason for their current pressure.
Amuneke noted that the Super Eagles poor start to the qualifiers has led to the current challenges, while Obafemi questioned the team’s consistency, saying,
“With the calibre of players we have, we should not be struggling. Our boys are no longer dependable.”
Nigeria’s upcoming matches against Lesotho and Benin will be crucial in determining their qualification fate.
Victory in both matches could see them finish with 17 points, potentially enough to top the group.
However, Amuneke and Obafemi’s warnings serve as a reminder of the difficulties ahead.
Ultimately, Nigeria’s qualification fate depends on their own performance.
As Amuneke and Obafemi emphasize, the Super Eagles must stay focused and deliver results if they want to make it to the World Cup.
