Mali head coach Tom Saintfiet has questioned the idea of a World Cup without Nigeria, stating that it would be a massive shock if the Super Eagles fail to qualify for the 2026 tournament.
In an interview with AySuga Naija Lifestyle on YouTube, Saintfiet praised Nigeria’s squad depth, emphasizing the high caliber of talent available to the national team.
He pointed to the quality of the Super Eagles’ offensive players, midfielders, defenders, and goalkeepers, asserting that Nigeria has an abundance of players capable of excelling at both the Africa Cup of Nations, AFCON and the World Cup.
“It will be sad if the strongest team of Africa don’t qualify. The Super Eagles are currently, not only now, the last three, four years, the best team in Africa,” Saintfiet said.
Despite Nigeria’s failure to win a major title since their AFCON triumph under Stephen Keshi in 2013, the Belgian coach believes the Super Eagles remain dominant and should comfortably secure a spot in the 2026 World Cup.
Nigeria Among AFCON and World Cup Favorites
Saintfiet insists that with the quality at Nigeria’s disposal, they are among the leading contenders to qualify for the World Cup and even win the next AFCON.
(Photo by KENZO TRIBOUILLARD/AFP via Getty Images)
“You cannot have 23, you can have 46 players who can become African champions,” he said, highlighting Nigeria’s impressive depth.
He also acknowledged Morocco as a strong competitor, naming the North Africans alongside Nigeria as top favorites for both AFCON and the World Cup.
“For me, together with Morocco, are the big favourite for AFCON but also going to the World Cup,” he stated.
Super Eagles Must Recover Lost Points
Saintfiet, however, warned that Nigeria must recover quickly from their slow start in the qualifiers. The Super Eagles have struggled in their first four matches, failing to secure a single win and currently sitting in 5th place in Group C.
While he respects Nigeria’s opponents particularly South Africa, who he describes as well-coached and capable he firmly believes the Super Eagles’ superior quality should see them through.
“It will be a big disappointment, a big shock, if Nigeria don’t qualify with these potential, with these quality players.
“With all respect for the opponents, South Africa have a very good coach, good team, but Nigeria have so much quality so they have to do everything. They have to catch up the points they lost. In that group I think they will qualify,” he concluded.
With their World Cup hopes hanging in the balance, the Super Eagles will need to win all remaining matches and turn their fortunes around in the upcoming qualifiers.
