'Every match is a final' - NSC Chairman Shehu Dikko rallies Super Eagles ahead of WCQ playoffs

Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Shehu Dikko has urged the Super Eagles to maintain the same energy, confidence and attacking performance they displayed in their recent match against Benin as they approach the upcoming World Cup qualifiers playoff tie against Gabon. 

The Super Eagles secured a place in the World Cup playoffs by finishing as the fourth-best second-ranked team in the qualifiers, following a 4-0 thrashing of Benin on October 14, highlighted by Victor Osimhen's third international hat-trick and a late goal from Frank Onyeka.

Dikko emphasized that the Federal Government is working closely with the Nigeria Football Federation to ensure the players maintain the right mindset and approach to each game.

"We are working hand in hand with the Nigeria Football Federation and all other stakeholders; we are working as one team," Dikko said. 

"That is why you are seeing the recent success because we know what to do, and they know what to do.

"As the Federal Government, we are providing all the necessary support for them to succeed. 

"Whatever the NFF needs, we provide, and that is why we are putting our heads together to ensure the players approach every game with the same mindset and mentality."

He noted that sustaining the team's positive mentality will be crucial heading into the decisive fixture against the Panthers. 

"If we are able to mobilize the players and maintain the same mentality going into the playoffs, it will be very brilliant for us.

"We are taking it one step at a time, but whatever we are doing, we are doing it together with the NFF and everyone involved. 

"It is a national assignment, for Nigeria, for the country, and I believe that with the way we are working together in the same direction, success should be guaranteed."

Responding to a question about whether there would be special bonuses for the Super Eagles players during the playoffs, Dikko explained that discussions were already underway.

"We are going to discuss that. Immediately after the match against Benin, we had a meeting with the NFF and the players to review how they plan to approach the playoffs."

If Nigeria beat Gabon, they will face the winner of the other semifinal between Cameroon and the Democratic Republic of Congo, with a victory in that match securing their place in the inter-confederation playoffs in March 2026.

The NSC Chairman stressed the importance of treating the matches with utmost seriousness, likening each to a cup final.

"It has to be treated as special because we are going to play three finals to qualify for the World Cup. Every match we play is a final, and when you are playing finals, it is a different ball game.

"They should continue with the same mentality that produced the four goals against Benin. We must take that same spirit into the next three games of the playoffs," Dikko concluded. 
 

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

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