Because the 2026 FIFA World Cup play-offs draw nearer, a former goalkeeper within the Tremendous Eagles, Greg Etafia has known as for prayers to stop a state of affairs wherein key gamers of the Nigerian nationwide crew would possibly miss the mini-competition because of accidents, Sports247 stories.
Africa’s part of the 2026 World Cup qualification playoffs is billed to start out in Rabat, Morocco on November thirteenth and, whereas acknowledging that Nigeria has to start early preparations for the competition, Etafia added that having all main gamers current could be essential as properly.
The previous Plateau United of Jos and Moroka Swallows of South Africa shot-stopper additional famous that the competitors is not going to be a stroll within the park, however reasoned that the
Eagles ought to be capable of defeat Gabon within the competitors’s opening recreation.
He added that the shape seen of the Eagles of their latest 4-0 demolition of Benin Republic, plus the presence of high gamers like Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman, shouldn’t solely present victory in opposition to Gabon but additionally assist Nigeria win the ultimate on November sixteenth in opposition to both Cameroon or Democratic Republic of Congo.
Etafia declared, “It’s not going to be straightforward, however what I noticed in Nigeria’s final recreation in opposition to Benin Republic confirmed some promise. Benin Republic is totally different from Gabon, however, if our gamers come out to play on that day, they need to win it.
“We have now the previous African greatest participant and the present greatest participant in our crew. So, I simply really feel that we will qualify; however all the things must be correctly organised.”
The previous web minder, who’s now a goalkepers’ coach in South Africa, additionally charged officers of Nigeria Soccer Federation (NFF) to shortly set sufficient preparations in movement, as he identified that the decisive contest is simply across the nook.
“November thirteenth isn’t distant. So, the Federation ought to be sure that their organisation of the crew is so as. The prayer, although, is for our key gamers to not be injured earlier than then,” Etafia solicited.
Sports247 can add that God seems to be answering Etafia’s prayer very early, as Samuel Chukwueze returned from damage to play for Fulham of England final weekend, whereas Lookman shook off a latest stoop in type to attain an important objective for Atalanta of Italy in the Serie A.
