Super Eagles defender and stand-in captain Kenneth Omeruo made a rallying call to his teammates ahead of their matchday 2 action against Zimbabwe in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
Nigeria played out a disappointing 1-1 draw by Lesotho in their group opener in Uyo on Thursday, thanks to Semi Ajayi’s header cancelling out Motlomelo Mkhwanazi’s opener for the away team.
However, Omeruo told reporters that the team needs to go into the tie against the Warriors with all seriousness. He further added that they are on a “redemption mission” and are unbothered about the conditions of the playing surface.
“We are on a redemption mission,” the 30-year-old said. “A serious business is what we have come for.
“The pitch is poor but we can’t be bothered right now. We want to get into action and pick up three points.”
The Turkey-based centre back was an unused substitute in Thursday’s game at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, but he will be hoping to play a part in the encounter against Zimbabwe.
FYI: Date, Time and Venue of MD2 in Rwanda#soarsupereagles #letsdoitagain #2026worldcupqualifiers pic.twitter.com/oPLWSjJxIF
— ???????? Super Eagles (@NGSuperEagles) November 10, 2023
Jose Peseiro’s men landed in Rwanda—the approved venue for Rwanda’s home matches in the qualifiers—in the early hours of Saturday and took to training on the artificial turf of the Huye Stadium in Butare.
The Super Eagles currently sit third in Group C of the qualifiers with one point, while Lesotho are second with the same point, and South Africa is atop the standings after enjoying a 2-1 win over the Cheetahs of Benin Republic on Saturday.
Nigeria will require all three points to kick-start their qualification campaign when they come up against the fifth-placed Warriors of Zimbabwe on Sunday at 3 p.m. local time (2 p.m. Nigerian time), with Djibouti referee Souleiman Ahmed Djama at the helm of affairs.
