CAF 2026 Playoffs: Super Eagles Must Fight to the End — Sylvanus Okpala

Former Super Eagles midfielder and assistant coach Sylvanus Okpala has urged Nigeria’s national team to maintain total focus and determination as they head into the CAF 2026 World Cup playoffs, stressing that the dream of qualification remains alive.

Okpala, who won the 1980 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) as a player and the 2013 AFCON as an assistant coach under the late Stephen Keshi, told Sports Vanguard that Nigeria must approach the playoffs with the mindset of warriors determined to win.

“Even when everyone had written us off before the Benin Republic match, I said there was still a lot to play for. That’s how I’ve always been — I never give up until there’s nothing left to fight for,” Okpala said.

Recalling his early days with the Green Eagles, Okpala said his fighting spirit was forged during the competitive 1980 AFCON training camps.

“Back then, we were over 50 or even 100 players in camp. I was very young, but I never stopped pushing. Even if you told me I’d already made the team, I’d still train harder. That attitude has stayed with me,” he noted.

He described the playoff stage as “a long and difficult road, but not impossible,” insisting that strategy and adaptability — not just formation — will determine Nigeria’s success.

“The key is how the coach and the players respond. Strategy must revolve around the players — their strengths and characteristics. That’s how a team goes far,” he explained.

Okpala also reiterated his long-held belief that Nigerian coaches are better suited to manage the national team than foreign tacticians.

“I’ve always said it — only Nigerian coaches can solve Nigeria’s football problems. We have capable people here,” he argued.

He cited past examples of local coaches who excelled at both youth and senior levels:

“Siasia did very well with the U-20 and U-23 teams — he won silver at both the World Cup and the Olympics. Amuneke won the U-17 World Cup and qualified Tanzania for AFCON. I worked with Keshi in 2013 — we won the AFCON and qualified for the World Cup. These are Nigerians doing great things.”

Okpala also defended Augustine Eguavoen, saying he brought stability to the team before being replaced.

“If Eguavoen had been left in charge, I don’t think we’d be where we are today. He qualified us for the 2025 AFCON. People judge him for losing to Rwanda, but that match was irrelevant — we’d already qualified. You can’t judge a coach by one inconsequential game,” he said.

On Nigeria’s chances in the playoffs, Okpala said the Super Eagles are as good as any other team in Africa.

“Our chances are as bright as everyone else’s. Football isn’t what it used to be — it’s now a global game. Everyone studies everyone. Even small teams are well organized,” he noted.

He added that history shows football success isn’t guaranteed by the strength of a country’s league.

“If league strength guaranteed success, England and Spain would have many World Cups. But England has one, and Spain just one too. So being in the playoffs doesn’t mean we can’t perform better than those who qualified automatically,” he argued.

Okpala urged Nigerians to rally behind the team, saying unity and belief are critical at this stage.

“We must support the team. That’s the most important thing now. It’s not over — we must fight to the end,” he declared.

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