Babayaro, Fanny Amun Differs on Super Eagles’ Chances for 2026 World Cup Qualification

Babayaro, Fanny Amun Differs on Super Eagles’ Chances for 2026 World Cup Qualification

By Niyi Busari 

 As the race for qualification to the 2026 FIFA World Cup intensifies, two prominent voices in Nigerian football—Ambassador Fanny Amun and Emmanuel Babayaro—have expressed sharply contrasting views on the chances of the Super Eagles securing a place in the global showpiece, BSNSports.com.ng reports.

Speaking in an exclusive interview with BSN Sports in Abuja, Amun, a former General Secretary of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and 1993 FIFA U-17 World Cup-winning coach, remained optimistic despite Nigeria’s current standing in Group C.

 “Nigeria has a history of surprising the world,” Amun said. “The current situation may not favour us on paper, but football is unpredictable. As a patriotic Nigerian, I strongly believe the Super Eagles can still qualify.”

He added confidently, “Nigeria will shock everyone and claim the group’s sole ticket to the World Cup.”

Babayaro Offers a Starkly Different Outlook

However, Emmanuel Babayaro, Atlanta 1996 Olympic gold medalist and former Super Eagles goalkeeper, offered a more sobering assessment. According to him, Nigeria’s path to qualification is now highly improbable.

 “In reality, we are not going to qualify,” Babayaro stated bluntly. “Yes, as a Nigerian I would love to see our flag at the 2026 World Cup, but we must face the facts. Other teams will not simply lose all their matches while we win all of ours.”  He told BSN Sports.

Current Standings and Qualification Scenario

With four matches remaining in the CAF World Cup qualifiers, Group C is currently led by South Africa (13 points), followed by Rwanda and Benin Republic with 8 points each. Nigeria sits fourth with 7 points, while Lesotho (6 points) and Zimbabwe (4 points) trail behind.

South Africa's Bafana Bafana will play host to three-time African champions Nigeria in a 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying match at the Toyota Stadium in Bloemfontein on Tuesday, 9th September 2025.

Only the group winner advances automatically to the 2026 World Cup. The best four runners-up from the ten African qualifying groups will enter a playoff round to compete for one additional spot through the intercontinental playoffs.