Former Nigeria worldwide Dimeji Lawal has stated the Nigeria nationwide soccer crew don’t need to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, insisting that the nation ought to cease counting on a verdict from FIFA following the petition in opposition to the DR Congo nationwide soccer crew.
Nigeria had submitted a proper grievance to FIFA over alleged breaches within the qualification course of, however the delay in reaching a ultimate resolution has created uncertainty over the nation’s probabilities of taking part within the match.
Lawal, nevertheless, believes Nigeria ought to settle for accountability for failing to safe qualification on the pitch.
“Nigeria doesn’t need to be on the 2026 World Cup,” Lawal stated.
The previous midfielder questioned why the soccer authorities are nonetheless pushing for a ruling that would probably hand the nation one other alternative.
“If we did the job on the sector, we wouldn’t be ready for any resolution from FIFA,” he added.
Lawal argued that the main target ought to as an alternative shift towards rebuilding the crew and getting ready for future competitions.
“All this vitality must be directed in direction of getting ready the crew for the longer term,” he famous.
In keeping with him, Nigeria’s qualification issues stem from deeper points that have to be addressed to forestall comparable conditions in upcoming campaigns.
“We have to appropriate the errors that led us right here within the first place,” he defined.
The previous worldwide additionally warned that qualifying via administrative choices fairly than sporting benefit wouldn’t remedy the underlying issues in Nigerian soccer.
“Even when the decision goes our approach, it doesn’t change the truth that we did not qualify correctly,” he stated.
Lawal concluded by urging the soccer authorities to prioritize long-term planning and improvement.
“Nigeria ought to concentrate on constructing a stronger crew for the subsequent qualifiers,” he acknowledged.
