2026 World Cup Playoffs: ‘We Can Still Qualify’ – Ikpeba Tells Super Eagles Ahead Of Gabon Clash

Former Super Eagles forward, Victor Ikpeba, has urged Nigeria’s senior men’s team to take full advantage of their second opportunity to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, stressing that the playoffs present “a lifeline” that must not be wasted.

The Super Eagles missed out on automatic qualification despite a commanding 4–0 win over Benin Republic in Uyo last week, finishing second in Group C behind South Africa’s Bafana Bafana.

That result means Nigeria will now contest the playoffs in Morocco next month, beginning with a semi-final clash against Gabon’s Panthers.

The winner of that fixture will face either Cameroon or the Democratic Republic of Congo in the decisive final for one of Africa’s remaining World Cup slots.

Speaking on Monday Night Football on SuperSport TV, Ikpeba, a member of Nigeria’s 1994 AFCON-winning squad and the 1998 World Cup team, said it was vital for the players to stay focused and motivated.

“We can qualify for the World Cup. It is another chance for them to play at the World Cup,” the former Monaco striker said.

“They have a second lifeline, and they have to grab it.”

Ikpeba warned that the playoffs would not be easy but expressed confidence that Nigeria has the quality to secure qualification if they remain disciplined and united.

Naija News reports that the Super Eagles, three-time African champions, have come under scrutiny in recent months for inconsistent performances during the qualifying rounds.

Their missed chances earlier in the campaign cost them top spot in the group, but the emphatic win over Benin Republic has restored optimism among fans.

The Nigerian team must now build on that momentum to avoid another heartbreak after missing out on the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

Source: Naijanews