Super Eagles forward Kelechi Iheanacho has delivered an impassioned rallying cry as Nigeria gears up for the critical 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
The team’s next international fixture will see them face Rwanda, a side that handed Nigeria a 2-1 defeat in their final 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier.
Despite securing their AFCON ticket, the Super Eagles have struggled against the Amavubi, with a draw in Kigali and a loss at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in recent encounters.
Reflecting on the team’s recent challenges, Iheanacho emphasized the need for urgency and determination in the World Cup qualifiers.
“We must go with red eyes and win all these games. This is World Cup qualifiers, and we know how big it is,” Iheanacho said in a chat with Victor Modo. “They [Rwanda] are the ones ahead in the qualifiers, and we’re down here. We can’t allow this to continue.”
Nigeria currently finds itself in a difficult position in the qualifying group, sitting second-bottom with three points after a string of draws. The Super Eagles must quickly turn their fortunes around to keep their World Cup hopes alive.
Iheanacho expressed confidence in the team’s ability to bounce back and secure qualification. “I can’t wait for it to start so we can go there, do the job, and put everyone at ease.
Nobody wants to worry about missing the World Cup,” the former Leicester City forward added.
The Super Eagles will kick off their World Cup qualifying campaign against Rwanda next year, determined to reverse their fortunes and begin the journey to the global showpiece with a victory.
