Former Nigeria international striker, Etim Esin has warned the Super Eagles not to be over confidence as the coach Jose Peseiro-led side begin their quest for a ticket to the 2026 FIFA World Cup with their opening qualifier against Lesotho on Thursday in Uyo.
The Super Eagles missed the last World Cup party at Qatar 2022 after being edged on the away goal rule by Ghana after both played a pulsating 1-1 second leg draw in Abuja following a goalless draw in Kumasi and Esin said the national team must be resolute in their approach right from their first match against Lesotho.
Other teams with Nigeria in the tricky Group C besides Lesotho are South Africa, Rwanda, Benin and Zimbabwe who will host the Super Eagles on Sunday in their adopted home ground in Kigali, Rwanda.
“We should never be over confident and we must start well by getting a win(against Lesotho) and we should not forget that we didn’t qualify for the last World Cup (Qatar 2022) as such the impact would be there,” Esin told Brila FM.“ We must start o good footing by getting good result.”
Meanwhile, the Super Eagles camp in Uyo will expectedly be in full swing today with a full house of all invited players ahead of Thursday’s 2026 GIFA World Cup opening Group C qualifier against Lesotho.
Cardiff City defender Jamilu Collins was the first to breeze into camp yesterday and he was later joined by the trio of Sadiq Umar of Real Sociedad; Kasimpasa FC defender Kenneth Omeruo and Leicester City’s inform striker Kelechi Iheanacho.
But camp sources hinted a horde of players were being expected last night and there is a growing confidence that the camp should be bursting at the seams today.
Credit: thenationonlineng.net
