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Obi-Alexander David
Former Super Eagles players, Mutiu Adepoju and Edema Fuludu have said that it is up to the national team, Super Eagles players to up their game and get a win against South Africa on Tuesday, 9 August 2025 in a bid to clinch a ticket to the ticket to tournament by the United States, Canada and Mexico respectively.
After four games, the three-time African champions are adrift by six points against South Africa’s 13 points.
In an interview with former Super Eagles player, Mutiu Adepoju, he stated that for the team to have any hope of being at the tournament, they have to fight out a victory against the South African side, Bafana Bafana.
He said, “Nigeria’s position as third behind Benin Republic and South Africa, who are ahead on the table, against the nation’s third position is alarming.
“If the team does not win their game against South Africa, then there is no hope of them going to the World Cup.”
Another ex-international, Edema Fuludu, was part of the national team during the mid-90s as he was a defender during the AFCON in Tunisia ’94. He stated that the game against SA is a “must-win” and that if the Eagles fail to do that, we are done for.
He said, “If we don’t beat South Africa, we are done for. I am urging Oshimhen and his teammates to do all they can to secure victory.
“The South Africans are in pole position on the table, and they apply both on and off-pitch tactics to stop the Eagles.
“What led us to this kind of position is attitude issues by members of the management of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and some of the players who see teams like theSquirrels of the Benin Republic as minions.
“Many of the Eagles players don’t look at their fitness, forgetting that football today is a game of 11 players versus 11 players instead of big names.
The Nigeria Super Eagles will play against South Africa on 9 September, 8:00 pm and the game is a crucial one.