Former Super Eagles goalkeeper, Idah Peterside, has pinpointed two crucial matches that denied Nigeria an automatic ticket to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The Super Eagles finished second in Group C, behind South Africa, who clinched the group’s only automatic qualification spot. Nigeria must now go through the playoffs in November, where they are scheduled to face Gabon for a place in the FIFA intercontinental play-offs set for March 2026.
Speaking on Soccer Beat, Peterside expressed his frustration over Nigeria’s missed chances, noting that the team’s early inconsistency in the qualifiers proved costly.
“Benin were topping the group, and we beat them soundly,” he said. “Imagine if Nigeria had played this way against Benin earlier in the qualifiers.”
He specifically blamed two disappointing results for the team’s failure to qualify directly.
“Two games cost Nigeria automatic qualification — Zimbabwe and Lesotho,” Peterside stated. “You can’t draw with Lesotho and Zimbabwe in Uyo, Nigeria.”
Peterside’s remarks echo the sentiments of many Nigerian football fans who believe the team underestimated their opponents and lacked focus in key matches.
The draws against Zimbabwe and Lesotho, both on home soil, ultimately left the Super Eagles chasing points for the remainder of the qualifying campaign.
