2026 FIFA World Cup: Super Eagles legend Okocha cautions Nigeria ahead tough qualifiers

Legendary Super Eagles playmaker Austine Jay Jay Okocha believes South Africa will be Nigeria’s biggest problem heading into the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers. 

Nigeria Super Eagles and familiar foes South Africa will go head-to-head for a place at the next World Cup when the qualifiers get underway. 

The two nations were drawn alongside Rwanda, Benin Republic and Lesotho in Group C during the draw held in Abidjan. 

Following the draw, the former Super Eagles captain reacted and charged his former team to be careful heading into the competition.

According to a report by the Punch, the former skipper name-checked the rainbow nation as Nigeria’s toughest opponent in the group. 

”Aside the (Super) Eagles, South Africa are about the strongest team in that group and we (Eagles) must be very careful when we play them,” Okocha stated. 

“We have not had it easy against them recently,” the former skipper added. 

In a related development, as reported by Pulse Sports, Okocha also charged the team and others to emulate semifinalists at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, the Atlas Lions of Morocco.

In his words, the Moroccans showed that it is possible for an Africa nation to win the World Cup after their brilliant display in Qatar. 

“Morocco showed that an African country could win the World Cup! We must follow the example of Morocco,” he concluded.

The capital of Ivory Coast, Abidjan, played host to football leaders and legends as the draw for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers was held last week.

Super Eagles legend Okocha in the company of former Chelsea superstar Didier Drogba led as the former Premier League duo and others helped CAF to group teams ahead of a gruesome road to 2026.

The World Cup will be held jointly by Canada, Mexico and the USA in the summer of 2026, with nine countries expected to represent Africa in the next global showpiece.