The Honourable Minister of Sports John Enoh has tasked the Super Eagles on the importance of qualification for the next World Cup after 2023 Afcon finalist were edged by West African rivals Ghana in the final phase of qualification for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, Nigeriasoccernet.com reports.
The next edition is billed to take place across three countries of North America.
Nigeria have begun the qualification process in an unwanted trend with two draw from two games.
The minister, speaking on Channels TV’s Sports Tonight echoed that the Super Eagles cannot afford to miss out on another mundial.
“I think we have not had a tremendous start, it’s a shaky one and therefore there is a milage to cover given that we didn’t go for the last World Cup. We cannot afford not to go for the next and therefore everything needs to be done.” He said.
“Coming after AFCON and coming after we have had a tremendous show somewhat, I think everybody expects that we should be able to consolidate on that and take it from there”.
To qualify, the West African giants will have to negotiate their way past the likes of South Africa, Benin Republic, Zimbabwe, Rwanda and Lesotho.
Nigeria finished second in the just concluded AFCON tournament in Ivory Coast where they lost to the hosts in the final.
By Olaleye Oluwadamilola