Former Nigerian international, Friday Ekpo, has urged the Super Eagles to deliver top-quality performances when the playoffs for the 2026 FIFA World Cup begin next month.
Nigeria booked their playoff place after thrashing Benin 4–0 in their final qualifying fixture.
The team will now await the October FIFA rankings and the subsequent playoff draw to determine their opponents in the crucial final phase of qualification.
According to CAF’s format, the best runners-up from the qualifying series will face off in a semifinal-final setup, with the winners advancing to the FIFA inter-confederation playoffs for a possible 10th African slot.
The decisive round of CAF qualifying is scheduled for November 10–18.
Speaking with Complete Sports, Ekpo expressed mixed feelings about Nigeria’s qualification route, emphasizing that the team must not begin their playoff matches sluggishly.
“Congratulations to the Super Eagles for qualifying for the playoffs of the 2026 World Cup. The team realized they needed to win and also win with goals.
“I am happy that we defeated Benin today, but I am not happy that the Super Eagles will be going through the stress of the playoff to qualify for the 2026 World Cup.
“This is something that we should sit back and think about so that it won’t repeat itself again. Now, we should identify where we got things wrong and proffer solutions to it so that we will not be struggling in the future.
“Talking about the playoff, the Super Eagles must come with their ‘A’ games and avoid starting slowly. I wish the Super Eagles all the best.”
