Rwanda’s head coach, Adel Amrouche, has expressed surprise at Nigeria’s ongoing struggles in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, insisting that a team with the Super Eagles’ quality should not be battling to qualify for the tournament.
The Super Eagles face the prospect of missing a second consecutive World Cup after an inconsistent campaign in Group C, where they sit third behind Benin and South Africa with just one match remaining.
The three-time African champions have managed only three wins in nine games, drawing five and losing once, leaving their qualification hopes hanging by a thread.
They take on the Benin Republic in their final qualifier, but their fate is no longer in their hands. Even if they win in Uyo, they will need South Africa to drop points at home against Rwanda to stand any chance of topping the group.
Amrouche, who took charge of Rwanda in March, told journalist Osasu Obayiuwana that Nigeria’s current position does not reflect the talent at their disposal.
“If I were coaching a team like the Super Eagles, with the quality of players that they have, my target would be to reach the quarter-finals of the FIFA World Cup, at the very minimum. Qualifying for the World Cup should not be the issue,” he said.
Despite his critique, Amrouche recently defended Nigeria coach Eric Chelle, urging fans to be patient. “Eric is a good coach. I know some people may be against him, but he’s starting to do his job. Don’t be negative. You must respect your coach,” he said.
Amrouche, an Algerian tactician, has previously managed Kenya, Libya, Burundi, Tanzania, and Botswana, gaining a reputation for developing teams with limited resources.
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