Nathaniel Bassey Criticizes Super Eagles: One Goal and You Already Think You’ve Qualified?

Nigerian gospel singer Nathaniel Bassey has expressed his disappointment over the Super Eagles’ performance following their 1-1 draw against Zimbabwe in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.

Sharing his thoughts on social media, Bassey highlighted what he sees as a recurring issue for the national team—struggling to manage small victories.

“I’ve always said this, one of our problems is managing small successes. You score just one goal, and suddenly you think you’ve qualified for the World Cup,” he wrote on X (formerly Twitter).

Nigeria took the lead in the 74th minute after Victor Osimhen found the net with an assist from Ola Aina. However, Zimbabwe responded in the 90th minute, leveling the game and denying the Super Eagles a crucial victory.

Bassey also raised concerns about Nigeria’s defensive frailties, criticizing the ease with which Zimbabwe scored.

“The Zimbabweans practically strolled from the midfield into the net unchallenged while we watched. Na wa,” he remarked, echoing the frustrations of many fans and analysts who have questioned the team’s defensive setup.

The result leaves Nigeria with seven points after six matches in Group C, trailing South Africa by six points. With their qualification hopes now hanging in the balance, Bassey hinted at the difficult road ahead.

“Now they’ll start calculating maths. Schm,” he quipped, suggesting the team may now have to rely on complex scenarios to secure a World Cup spot.