Bright Omokaro, former Super Eagles international, has emphasized the need for more rigorous and collective training sessions for Nigeria's national team to qualify for the 2026 World Cup. His comments followed the team's 1-1 draw against South Africa's Bafana Bafana in Uyo on Friday, where Nigeria struggled to equalize in the group stage of the qualifiers.
Omokaro noted that while individual performances were commendable, the Super Eagles lacked the collective cohesion necessary for a stronger performance. He stressed that more time spent playing and training together would help the team develop better skills and more effective strategies to outplay their opponents.
Additionally, Omokaro advised the team's coach, Finidi George, to consider local players who are eager and determined to score goals. He emphasized that there should be no automatic selection for any player; instead, performance should dictate who gets to play, fostering healthy competition within the team.
Looking ahead, Omokaro urged the national team to secure a victory against Benin Republic in their next match to improve their standing in the qualifiers. With Nigeria currently in fifth place in Group C, a win is crucial to amassing meaningful points and boosting their chances of making it to the 2026 World Cup. The upcoming match is scheduled for Monday in Abidjan, with a kick-off time of 5:00 p.m. Nigerian time.
