We have average players - Ex-Super Eagles star slams Eric Chelle's team

Former Nigeria international, Etim Esin, has criticised the Super Eagles following their 1-1 draw against South Africa in Tuesday’s 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier in Bloemfontein.

The result leaves Nigeria’s hopes of reaching the tournament hanging in the balance.

The Super Eagles now sit on 11 points, six adrift of group leaders South Africa, with only two matches left to play.

Nigeria fell behind in the 25th minute after an own goal by captain William Troost-Ekong. The Eagles, however, found a response just before the break, when Calvin Bassey headed in an equaliser in the 44th minute.

Despite the comeback, the Eagles could not push on for the much-needed victory, leaving their qualification campaign in serious jeopardy.

Reacting to the draw, Esin did not mince words, lamenting what he described as a lack of quality in the current squad.

“We have average players in the Super Eagles, the team lacks creativity,” Esin told Complete sports

He added, “We have players who cannot confidently take on a player and beat them one-on-one. Nobody can make anything happen.”

The former midfielder added that the possibility of missing yet another World Cup was “unimaginable and terrible” for Nigerian football.

Nigeria will return to World Cup qualifying action in October, when they face Lesotho and the Benin Republic in their final group matches.

Victories in both fixtures are crucial, but the Eagles may still need results elsewhere to boost their chances of qualification.