Super Eagles goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali has expressed optimism that Nigeria can still secure qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, despite a shaky start to their campaign.

The 29-year-old shot-stopper, who has featured in all six qualifying matches so far, acknowledged that while Nigeria have only managed one win in the qualifiers, the dream of returning to the World Cup is far from over.

With four crucial games remaining, Nigeria trail group leaders South Africa by six points. However, victory in the upcoming fixtures against Bafana Bafana and Rwanda in September could dramatically shift the momentum in their favour.

“It is football. Just because we are Nigeria doesn’t mean we’re guaranteed to win every game,” Nwabali told Sportsblog247.com. “We still have a lot of chances to qualify, despite where we are on the table.”

The Chippa United goalkeeper emphasized the importance of belief, teamwork, and taking each game as it comes, noting that even with a star-studded squad, only grit and unity will make the difference on the pitch.

“We’re going to push in our next game, take it one game at a time, and we’ll see how our next four games go,” he added.

Nigeria’s path to the 2026 FIFA World Cup resumes in September with high-stakes matches against Rwanda and South Africa. With renewed focus and determination, the Super Eagles will be hoping to reclaim their place among football’s elite.