Former Super Eagles defender Taye Taiwo has voiced his disappointment over Nigeria’s ongoing struggle to secure a spot at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, despite boasting one of the most talented squads on the continent.

Speaking ahead of Nigeria’s crucial Group C clash against Benin Republic at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo, Taiwo described the situation as “a shame,” given the calibre of players representing the nation across Europe’s top leagues.

> “It’s a shame. Upon all the good players we have playing for good clubs, it’s a shame that we can’t make it to the World Cup,” Taiwo told Sporty TV. “We have a lot of quality — the players are there — but small issues have become big problems for us.”

Nigeria currently sits third in Group C with 14 points, trailing Benin (17 pts) and South Africa (15 pts) after nine games. To qualify automatically, the Super Eagles must defeat Benin and hope South Africa falter against Rwanda.

Taiwo further emphasized the importance of early preparation and consistency, citing nations like Egypt and Tunisia as examples of teams that started strong and reaped the rewards.

> “If you’re going for the World Cup, you must start early. Look at Egypt and Tunisia — they began early and won their games. They can rest players now, but we can’t. We’re still fighting hard for every point.”

As Nigeria faces a make-or-break encounter, Taiwo’s words echo the frustration of millions of fans hoping to see the Super Eagles return to football’s biggest stage.