National Sports Commission chairman Shehu Dikko has charged the Nigeria Football Federation to ensure the Super Eagles qualify for the 2026 World Cup, The PUNCH reports.
This comes as Nigeria sit in fifth place with just three points after four matches in their qualifying campaign, four points behind leaders Rwanda, with six games left to play in the series.
Dikko made this known during NFF president Ibrahim Gusau’s visit to the NSC Secretariat to brief him on preparations for the crucial World Cup qualifiers billed for March.
“NFF President Alhaji Ibrahim Gusau was at the NSC Secretariat today to brief the National Sports Commission Chairman Mallam Shehu Dikko on preparations for the crucial World Cup qualifiers billed for March. Discussions highlighted the need to ensure that the Super Eagles secure the group’s solitary ticket,” the NSC wrote on their official X account.
The Eagles, under new coach Eric Chelle, face Rwanda and Zimbabwe in March in must-win fixtures as they bid to secure the group’s solitary ticket to the global showpiece, set to be co-hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada.
Chelle, who was appointed some weeks ago, has already emphasised that qualifying for the World Cup remains his immediate priority ahead of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in December.
“We need to concentrate on the World Cup qualifiers first, and after that, in October, we can start thinking about AFCON. For now, we need to win two games in March,” Chelle told Pooja Media recently.
“As I’ve said before, my focus is on my players and March. We need to concentrate on the World Cup qualifiers first, and after that, in October, we can start thinking about AFCON. For now, we need to win two games in March.
“This is a draw, there are four teams and anyone in the AFCON can win the tournament but now I need to watch and work with my players on the two games in March against Rwanda and Zimbabwe.”
The Franco-Malian tactician will hope to reignite Nigeria’s qualification hopes with victories against the Amavubi in Kigali and Zimbabwe before the team regroups in September and October for their final four games in the series.
Under Dikko’s leadership, the NSC has seen a significant increase in the sports sector’s budget allocation from N29bn in 2024 to over N94bn in 2025, representing a 227 per cent increase, as they aim to revitalise Nigerian sports.
