Sports development Minister, Senator John Owan Enoh says Nigerians take qualification for 2026 FIFA World Cup seriously. The AthleticNG reports.
Enoh said the Super Eagles must qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup to amend sad memories from missing the 2022 edition in Qatar.
The Sports Minister also spoke about the challenges responsible for the failed transmission of the Super Eagles 1-1 draw.
” The Government and football-loving people of Nigeria take the qualification for the 2026 World Cup very seriously and want the Super Eagles to qualify,” Senator Enoh stated.
” Having missed out on the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, qualifying for the 2026 World Cup is not negotiable.”
“I urge the Nigeria Football Federation to look into and correct all the lapses observed in Thursday’s match with the aim of putting in a much better performance in Rwanda on Sunday, November 19, 2023 against Zimbabwe.”
Addressing the broadcasting limitations that prevented some Nigerians from watching the national team in action, Senator Enoh highlighted the Ministry’s efforts to resolve the situation. He urged the NFF to register Nigeria’s dissatisfaction with the appropriate authorities.
“We understand that the qualifiers are FIFA-organized, and so the television broadcasting rights are in the World Football Governing Body’s purview,” he said. “It is not good enough that many Nigerians could not watch their National team play in their country. A repeat of the same should be avoided and NFF will be expected to register Nigeria’s displeasure with the appropriate authority in FIFA.”
While acknowledging the challenges, Senator Enoh rallied support for the Super Eagles, urging them to exhibit sharper gameplay throughout the remaining qualifying series.
“Nigerians are all rooting for your success,” he concluded, emphasizing the collective desire for the team’s advancement in the qualifiers.