Nigeria head coach Eric Chelle has opened up about the Super Eagles’ difficult path to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, conceding that the team’s hopes now rest on their final two qualifying matches.

The Super Eagles claimed a much-needed win over Rwanda in Uyo last Saturday, but a 1-1 draw with South Africa in Johannesburg left them stuck in third place in their group. With Bafana Bafana leading on six points and Benin sitting second with three, Nigeria’s margin for error has all but disappeared.

Chelle, who admitted his side had targeted maximum points from their recent fixtures, acknowledged that their situation is precarious but not impossible.

> “We are professionals and it’s two games remaining. For sure, these players want to win those two games. Now it’s difficult for us at the moment because we wanted to win the past two games,” the coach reflected.

“I think we did everything. In one month, we have the two remaining games. Lots of things can happen in one month—about the points, about the teams, about everything.”

Nigeria will now turn their attention to Lesotho on Monday, October 6, before clashing with Benin in what could prove to be their decisive battle a week later.

For Chelle and his men, the message is clear: win or risk missing out on the world’s biggest stage.