Former Nigeria international Segun Odegbami has expressed confidence that the Super Eagles would have been among the standout teams at the ongoing 2026 FIFA World Cup had they secured qualification.
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The former captain praised the impressive performances of African nations at the tournament, describing them as clear evidence of the continent’s continued growth on the global football stage.
“Nigeria would have been one of the teams to watch if we had qualified. The performances of the African teams have shown just how much football on the continent has improved,” Odegbami said.
The 1980 Africa Cup of Nations winner noted that Africa’s representatives have demonstrated quality, resilience and tactical discipline against some of the world’s best teams.
He singled out Morocco as one of the tournament’s strongest African contenders, backing the Atlas Lions to enjoy another deep run after their historic World Cup exploits in recent years.
“Morocco have shown they can compete with anyone, and I believe they have what it takes to reach the last four once again,” he added.
Odegbami, however, admitted that Nigeria’s absence continues to be a major disappointment, especially considering the country’s football pedigree and the quality of players currently available.
He urged Nigerian football authorities to learn from the qualification failure and begin preparations early to ensure the Super Eagles return stronger for future international competitions.
