Yobo tells Super Eagles ahead of South Africa clash: Winning ugly better than missing World Cup

Former Nigeria captain Joseph Yobo has sent a message to the Super Eagles ahead of their blockbuster 2026 World Cup qualifier against South Africa in Bloemfontein, urging the team coached by Eric Chelle to play ugly if needed to secure a World Cup ticket.

Seven matches into the qualifiers, the Super Eagles are still playing catch-up, six points adrift of leaders South Africa and with no margin for error in their remaining fixtures.

Nigeria find themselves in a precarious position after dropping points in matches they were widely expected to win, particularly on home soil.

The three-time African champions were held to draws in Ugo against Lesotho, South Africa and Zimbabwe, and failed to keep a clean sheet in any of those encounters.

Speaking to SuperSport on Saturday, Yobo warned that it would be a disaster if Nigeria failed to qualify for a second consecutive World Cup, stressing that such a setback would point to something fundamentally wrong within the team.

The three-time World Cupper noted that Nigerians often focus on entertainment rather than results, reminding that football is a game of points.

He said the Super Eagles should not hesitate to play 'ugly' if necessary, so long as they secured victories.

The former central defender expressed belief in the squad, insisting that senior players must rise to the occasion and take responsibility, especially with the realization that any slip could cost them the chance of qualifying for the World Cup.

He added that he had confidence in both the technical crew and the Super Eagles players, saying that if they approached each game step by step and played to their strengths, they could prove unstoppable.

The Super Eagles touched down in Bloemfontein on Sunday evening ahead of the matchday eight clash against Bafana Bafana at the Free State Stadium.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

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