Why Super Eagles still dream of the World Cup-Iwobi

2 months ago 25

As Nigeria stares down 2 captious World Cup qualifiers; against Rwanda successful Uyo and South Africa distant successful Johannesburg, Alex Iwobi has fixed dependable to the Super Eagles’ belief.

The Fulham midfielder, enjoying a beardown tally of signifier successful the Premier League, insists that assurance successful the campy remains unshaken contempt the constrictive margins near successful the qualification race.

We judge successful the World Cup

For Iwobi, the mindset is simple: content oregon nothing.

“Of course, everyone… We judge that we’re going to spell to the World Cup; otherwise, we wouldn’t beryllium here.

“We’re going to effort and bash our best, truthful hopefully the fans tin proceed to judge successful america arsenic well.”

Nigeria’s World Cup hopes are hanging by a thread. With conscionable 7 points from six games, the Eagles beryllium 4th successful Group C down South Africa, Rwanda and Benin. Only the radical victor advances straight to the 2026 finals, portion the second-placed squad whitethorn scrape into the playoffs. The stakes could not beryllium higher.

Settling into Eric Chelle’s system

The 28-year-old has lone worked concisely nether caller manager Eric Chelle, but already sees signs of progress.

“Yeah, I’ve played 1 campy truthful acold and I’ve enjoyed the system. It allows maine to explicit myself arsenic a subordinate a spot more.

“Of course, it inactive takes a batch of clip for each subordinate to set to the system, but immoderate strategy that gets america to triumph is the main thing, and we spot the manager.

“So hopefully, erstwhile again, we tin get the results successful the adjacent 2 games.”

Iwobi’s words echo Captain William Troost-Ekong’s insistence that Chelle’s methods person been good received. For Nigeria, the tactical clarity volition request to construe into six points, oregon astatine slightest four, to support qualification wrong reach.

A member successful London: Chukwueze joins Fulham

Away from the nationalist team, Iwobi’s joyousness was evident erstwhile asked astir Samuel Chukwueze’s deadline-day determination to Fulham; a transportation that stunned galore crossed Europe.

“Of course, arsenic a brother, I’m truly excited to enactment with him astatine the nine level.

“We each cognize the quality helium has, truthful maine arsenic a brother, I’ll springiness him the assurance to spell and explicit himself, truthful I can’t hold to spot him successful Fulham colours.”

Chukwueze’s accomplishment means Fulham present person 3 Super Eagles internationals driving their defence, midfield and attack; a concern that could beryllium important for nine and state alike.

The bigger picture

Nigeria’s qualification run has been riddled with stumbles; goalless draws, lapses successful concentration, and the consciousness that the Eagles are chasing time. Yet Iwobi’s connection is 1 of faith, not fear.

The fans person heard promises before. This time, though, Nigeria’s travel comes down to execution. Beat Rwanda astatine home, stun South Africa away, and the imagination is inactive alive. Drop points, and the 2026 World Cup whitethorn already beryllium lost.

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