'It's something they have to witness'  - Omeruo sends message to Super Eagles teammates ahead of WCQ

Kasimpasa star Kenneth Omeruo has sent a message to his Super Eagles teammates ahead of the upcoming 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Lesotho and Zimbabwe. 

The former Chelsea central defender says playing at the next edition of the World Cup that will be staged in Canada, Mexico and United States would be the pinnacle of their careers. 

Of the 23 players called up by manager Jose Peseiro for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers double header, only five have attended a World Cup, namely Kelechi Iheanacho, Alex Iwobi, Chidozie Awaziem, Kenneth Omeruo and Francis Uzoho.

Omeruo, who was in the squad that failed to qualify for the 2022 World Cup, has gone the distance in six of the last seven games played by the Nigeria national team at the World Cup.

The 30-year-old has urged his Super Eagles teammates to take the games against Lesotho and Zimbabwe seriously. 

"We are looking forward to it, it's an important one for us. We missed out on the last World Cup so it's a serious matter for us. We are here to do what we have to do to get our ticket for the next World Cup," Omeruo told reporters after the gym session on Monday.

On his World Cup memories he can share with the younger players in the Super Eagles team, Omeruo answered: "It was my dream to play in the World Cup and the atmosphere is amazing, there is none compared to it.

"It's something they have to witness, it's an amazing tournament, amazing to see Nigerians traveling all over the world to come and support us during the World Cup. I'm looking forward to another World Cup."

He added: "We've played Lesotho and Zimbabwe in the past. The important thing is to stick to our game plan and take the game very seriously because we have to win both games."

With the absence of Ahmed Musa, William Troost-Ekong and Wilfred Ndidi, Omeruo should captain the team against Lesotho on Thursday if he's named in the starting lineup by Jose Peseiro. 

Ifeanyi Emmanuel 

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