Head coach of Mali’s national team, Tom Saintfiet, has said that it would be a big shock and disappointment if Nigeria’s Super Eagles fail to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Saintfiet spoke in a recent interview with AySuga Naija Lifestyle YouTube page.
He also labeled the Super Eagles as the best team in Africa for the past four years.
“It will be sad if the strongest team in Africa doesn’t qualify. The Super Eagles are currently, not only now but for the last three or four years, the best team in Africa,” Saintfiet said.
“It will be a big disappointment, a big shock, if Nigeria don’t qualify with this potential, with these quality players.
“With all respect for the opponents, South Africa have a very good coach and a good team, but Nigeria have so much quality, so they have to do everything. They have to catch up on the points they lost. In that group, I think they will qualify.”
Nigeria has struggled in its first four matches of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.
The Super Eagles failed to win a game and are in 5th position in Group C, behind Rwanda, South Africa, Benin Republic, and Lesotho.
Eric Chelle’s side will face Rwanda and Zimbabwe in their next games on Friday and Tuesday.
