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Ivorian football legend Didier Drogba has stressed the importance of Nigeria qualifying for the 2026 World Cup, describing the Super Eagles as one of Africa’s most influential teams, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.

Following a sluggish start to their qualifying campaign, Nigeria narrowly missed out on topping Group C, finishing second with 17 points — just one behind South Africa, who sealed the automatic ticket with a 3-0 win over Rwanda in their final group game at the Mbombela Stadium.

The Super Eagles, however, showed resilience in their last qualifier against Benin Republic in Uyo on Tuesday, recording a dominant 4-0 victory that reignited their hopes of reaching the Mundial after an inconsistent start to the campaign.

Eric Chelle’s men will now face Gabon in the semi-final on November 13, with victory setting up a decisive clash against the winner between Cameroon and DR Congo for Africa’s sole slot in the intercontinental playoffs billed for Mexico in March 2026.

Speaking in an interview with Sporty TV, Drogba urged Nigerians to be patient with the Eagles, emphasising that having the three-time African champions at the World Cup is vital for the continent and for global football.

“It would be nice if they qualify because to have Nigeria in a World Cup is very important for Africa. But if they don’t qualify, the team that would be representing us, we will be proud to support.”

The Chelsea legend also defended the Eagles following several criticisms.

“You know, if Nigeria had won the African Cup of Nations, you wouldn’t even be saying that. But that’s football, you know, it doesn’t mean that your team is not good. They were in the final. You were supporting them all through the campaign and then all of a sudden they lose, then finish!” Drogba said.

“They’re so bad, they criticise them from right to left, and it’s always like that in Africa. You finish 2nd, it’s like Chelsea finishing 2nd in the Premier League. Like it doesn’t count.”

Drogba stressed that reaching the AFCON final is no small achievement, insisting that the current generation of Nigerian players deserves praise, not criticism.

“That’s the level of expectation because you have won before. So I think the team is good. You have Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman — they won the last two Ballon d’Or. I mean, you have a team that can perform, but then you have opposition. You think the other team, because it’s Nigeria, they’re gonna sit like this?”

Source: https://punchng.com/having-nigeria-at-wcup-important-drogba/

My crush Drogba.
Crush Drogba my.
Drogba my crush.









See as better person talk. Even though hair nor dey his head but he get sense pass that moooomuuuuu SA Football boss.

To qualify for the world cup, Nigeria must defeat Gabon next month and then defeat the winner of the game between Cameroon and DR Congo.

Those victories would earn us the ticket to play the intercontinental stage.

There are 6 teams in that stage which are Nigeria, UAE, Bolivia, Jamaica New Caledonia and Costa Rica.

The teams would be in 2 groups and ceeded based on their fifa rankings. 3 teams in each group meaning that Nigeria would most likely be ceeded because of our high fifa ranking so the remaining two teams would play each other and the winner would play Nigeria for the final playoff.

If we win that final game we're through to the world cup.

So technically we need to win our next 3 matches in the playoffs in order to qualify for the world cup.

Thanks to the French speaking man and friend and not to those South African people

Actually, it is not important.

The current Super Eagles team is just fit to play CAF competition.

There are countries that when they don't qualify, the world cup would seem senseless but unfortunately Nigeria isn't one of those countries.


Just 4 to 5 players are outstanding in that squad.

When I told someone that due to revenue needed to be generated by FIFA and CAF, our match with Benin was likely rigged... The guy was arguing.

Important to who? Nigerians? Or the players? This present crop of players are an embarrassment. Palm oil sellers in Oshodi and palm wine tappers in Rumuokoro would have played better than these super eagles.

Whether they qualify or not, nothing concern me. The entire country is in shambles and nothing is worth celebrating at the moment

there isn't a point attending.

Which balloon d'Or Lookman and Osimhen win abeg?

We love deceiving ourselves in Nigeria and the world knows it.
Nigeria important to the World Cup? How? Why? A country that has never made the Quarter Finals?is this 1994 or 1998?

No one will notice if we dont attend except Nigerians.

The rest of the world operates on merit as in if you are good, you qualify and thrill the world.

Abi Drogba wan collect contract for Abuja or his woman is Nigerian?

Our supper eagles should have qualified from that group if they were as serious as their last match but hopefully we can still qualify especially if they can sustain the kind of display against Benin 🇧🇯

TallNigerian:
Which balloon d'Or Lookman and Osimhen win abeg?

He only termed our CAF award to be like Ballon D'or

Drogba sabiwetin he dey talk

Unfortunately, you can't help or smuggle them in if they can't help themselves to qualify.

TallNigerian:
Which balloon d'Or Lookman and Osimhen win abeg?

Africa ballon d'or
You gat it

South Africans will be pained by this comment from drogba

SA is my team for Africa. Very fit and athletic team. Highly professional.

Great100000:
Source: https://punchng.com/having-nigeria-at-wcup-important-drogba/

Nigeria's presence is not needed at any world cup. World cup are for serious countries who prepared for it.

nigeria is unserious and didnot prepare for it

What did you expect him to say

He was being diplomatic

Other African countries have done far better than Nigeria: Senegal, Morocco, Ghana, Cameroon have all gotten to QF and even semis, never has NIGERIA gone past second round, so what's special about us?

Goo0dHardDick:
South Africans will be pained by this comment from drogba

Why will they be
Anyone can make a statement
S/A has qualified already.

Don't make scenarios up in your head
we tend to overrate ourselves in this country, even nations cup, we are not the most successful, Nigeria is an average footballing country. U17, na old men wey dey use intimidate small boys, that's why we can't win U20 because at that level, the gaps have narrowed

atobs4real:
Thanks to the French speaking man and friend and not to those South African people

.
If you travel to some countries in Africa, then you will see that some Africans love Nigeria even more than their countries from the government to the people of the countries, just as there are some bitter and jealous enemies like South Africa and Ghana

babzo:
We love deceiving ourselves in Nigeria and the world knows it.
Nigeria important to the World Cup? How? Why? A country that has never made the Quarter Finals?is this 1994 or 1998?

No one will notice if we dont attend except Nigerians.

The rest of the world operates on merit as in if you are good, you qualify and thrill the world.

Abi Drogba wan collect contract for Abuja or his woman is Nigerian?

Lolz, FIFA or those who understand the importance of Nigeria and her population will never say this. Commercial aspect will suffer for it. Alot of Nigerians do use the opportunity of world cup to travel or subscribe to their pay TV.

Rich4god:
When I told someone that due to revenue needed to be generated by FIFA and CAF, our match with Benin was likely rigged... The guy was arguing.

Which revenue to be generated by FIFA? Was Nigeria at the 2010 World Cup in SA where FIFA made huge revenues?
Stop arrogating undeserved credits to any team. Even if a team like England misses the world cup, FIFA will generate its revenue and make huge gains as usual, not to talk of Nigeria!

Rich4god:
When I told someone that due to revenue needed to be generated by FIFA and CAF, our match with Benin was likely rigged... The guy was arguing.

Er...no.

Benin has never beaten us at senior level and their last match with us was a draw, when Pesiero was in charge.

Also, we was desperate, and we were playing at home...not away

Revenue? lol. If na revenue, would Cape Verde have qualified over a whole Cameroon? (YES Cameroon are in playoffs, where it is four teams, winner takes all. They too can lose out, like Nigeria)

Remember we are in a playoff with Gabon, who we may beat, and Cameroon and DR COngo, who are tough nuts. E no easy.

We did not qualify for 2022 world cup, and FIFA revenue was ok...they even made massive profit self.

P.S

The money makers at any world cup are Argentina and Brazil...because that's whom most people have as their second favorite national teams. Maybe Germany, Spain, France , Holland and England. Other nations, sorry.

Falseprofet2:
Why will they be
Anyone can make a statement
S/A has qualified already.

Don't make scenarios up in your head

SA sport minister said he doesn't want Nigeria to qualify. Now drogba said the opposite

Rich4god:
When I told someone that due to revenue needed to be generated by FIFA and CAF, our match with Benin was likely rigged... The guy was arguing.

No use this your thinking train your pikin o

babzo:
We love deceiving ourselves in Nigeria and the world knows it.
Nigeria important to the World Cup? How? Why? A country that has never made the Quarter Finals?is this 1994 or 1998?

No one will notice if we dont attend except Nigerians.

The rest of the world operates on merit as in if you are good, you qualify and thrill the world.

Abi Drogba wan collect contract for Abuja or his woman is Nigerian?

.

Drink cold water and relax. Nigeria is rated very high in all countries of the world even our enemies like Ghana and South Africa want to be like us. Don’t let hatred and bitterness kee you

APCNig:
.

Drink cold water and relax. Nigeria is rated very high in all countries of the world even our enemies like Ghana and South Africa want to be like us. Don’t let hatred and bitterness kee you

1. We are not your enemies
2. We South Africans most definitely don't want to be like you

Legend.

God will make a way for us

Goo0dHardDick:
South Africans will be pained by this comment from drogba

We honestly couldn't care less.