“Triple the Effort” – Ex-Super Eagles Goalkeeper Sends Message Ahead of World Cup Qualifiers

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Legendary former Super Eagles goalkeeper Dele Aiyenugba has called on the national team to raise their game as they face increasing challenges on the road to success.

He stressed that opponents often give their best when playing against Nigeria, urging the Super Eagles to respond by tripling their efforts.

“Right now no country is a pushover,” Aiyenugba told Brila.net.

“Every team that wants to beat the Super Eagles will double their game. Then we need to triple our game.”

The Super Eagles’ recent performances have been far from convincing. Despite topping their group in the AFCON qualifiers with 11 points, their 2-1 home defeat to Rwanda after taking an early lead raised concerns.

Attention now shifts to the FIFA World Cup qualifiers, resuming in March 2025.

The stakes are high, with Nigeria facing the daunting possibility of missing the World Cup for a second consecutive time.

Their failure to qualify for the 2022 tournament in Qatar, losing to arch-rivals Ghana, still lingers.

Currently, the Super Eagles sit fifth in their group with just three points from four games.

To have any chance of qualifying, they must win all their remaining matches, an uphill task given their current form.

“We need to be 100 per cent ready, to stay on top to win the six games, we need to work hard.”

Aiyenugba also emphasized the importance of player selection, urging the coaching staff to focus on those who show commitment and passion, starting from training sessions.

“By now the coach should know the players who want to give everything for Nigeria, starting from the training,” Aiyenugba added.

With the World Cup dream hanging in the balance, the Super Eagles must regroup and rise to the challenge if they hope to reclaim their dominance on the global stage.