Imo State’s Commissioner for Niger-Delta Affairs, Dr. Henry Okafor, has voiced strong confidence in the Super Eagles’ ability to reach the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico—even if they finish second in their qualifying group.

Speaking on Nigeria’s campaign, Okafor, a lifelong football enthusiast, said the team must win its remaining two qualifiers to secure a favorable play-off berth. He argued that the intercontinental play-off stage would be “very easy” for Nigeria, noting that the Eagles tend to perform better against non-African opponents, whose style of play is less physically demanding than that of many African teams.

Okafor added that recent developments—such as possible point deductions for a rival team facing player-eligibility issues similar to South Africa’s—could further boost Nigeria’s chances. He remains confident the Eagles can capitalize if South Africa stumble against Rwanda.

However, the commissioner criticized the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) for interfering with squad selection, alleging that unfit players were imposed on the coaching crew at the start of the campaign, leading to poor early results. He urged that only in-form players capable of blending well should be invited for the remaining fixtures.

Okafor called on the government to appoint experienced former players with proven administrative skills to guide the sport’s development, insisting that Nigeria’s football future depends on leadership with both technical know-how and genuine passion for the game.