Nigerian football legend Austin Jay-Jay Okocha has expressed optimism over the Super Eagles’ chances of qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Nigeria is set to face Gabon in the World Cup playoffs on Thursday at the Hide Moulay Hassan Stadium in Morocco. The winner will then play the victor between DR Congo and Cameroon for a chance to represent Africa in the inter-continental playoff for a World Cup spot.

Speaking on The Exchange with Femi Soneye, Okocha said:

“Once there is a glimmer of hope, of course I will believe, and that is the beauty of football. I still trust this team; I still believe it is possible [for Nigeria to qualify]. We put ourselves in this situation, and we are the only ones who can bring ourselves out of it. From their last outing, you could see the desire to correct their mistakes. They’ve given us hope.”

Okocha’s remarks highlight confidence in the team’s resilience and determination as they pursue a ticket to the World Cup.