'Our greatest undoing' - Ikpeba explains why Super Eagles lost WCQ race to Bafana Bafana

1994 Africa Cup of Nations-winning striker Victor Ikpeba believes Nigeria's slow start to the 2026 Fifa World Cup qualifying campaign was the key factor behind their failure to secure automatic qualification ahead of South Africa’s Bafana Bafana.

The Super Eagles endured a sluggish opening to their Group C campaign, managing only three points from their first four matches. 

They were held to three consecutive draws before suffering an away defeat to Benin, a result that left them playing catch-up in the race for top spot.

In contrast, South Africa took early control of the group, recording victories against Benin and Zimbabwe, and earning a valuable point against Nigeria in Uyo.

Although Nigeria produced a strong finish to the qualifiers, collecting fourteen points from a possible eighteen in their final six matches, their late surge was not enough to overtake Bafana Bafana. 

The Super Eagles' impressive run secured them a playoff berth as the fourth-best runners-up.

It is also worth noting that Nigeria struggled in their early fixtures without their influential forward, Victor Osimhen, who was sidelined by injury.

Reflecting on Nigeria’s campaign, Ikpeba pointed to the team’s poor early form and managerial instability as decisive factors in their inability to top the group.

"Our slow start was our greatest undoing. We couldn’t do the job against Lesotho at home, drew away to Zimbabwe, and lost to the Republic of Benin. Our form during that period was terrible,” Ikpeba said during a SuperSport broadcast monitored by allnigeriasoccer.com.

"We had a manager who left, and Finidi came in. There was a little bit of chaos everywhere, and that’s where we didn’t get it right,” he added.

The former Monaco striker also reserved praise for Eric Chelle, who guided the Super Eagles to an impressive qualifying run, emphasising that consistency and stability were crucial to success in such campaigns.

"This manager, Eric Chelle, has done a great job — four wins and two draws from six games. He has changed a lot in this team in a very short time.

"Not a lot of people had faith in this manager. It shows that a good start to a World Cup campaign goes a long way, and that’s where South Africa got it spot on."

Subject to confirmation of the Fifa ranking next week, the Super Eagles are expected to face Gabon in the semifinal of the World Cup playoffs in November, a tie that will determine their path toward a possible spot in the intercontinental playoffs.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

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