A former Super Eagles goalkeeper, Peterside Idah, believes Nigeria will win Thursday’s 2026 World Cup play-off against Gabon.
Peterside spoke on Thursday’s edition of Sunrise Daily, saying the Super Eagles have an edge over the Panthers of Gabon despite a bonus row on the eve of the encounter.
“Naturally, we should win. In the last 41 years, we have played games against Gabon and they have only beaten us once. So, we have an advantage, and we are Nigerians,” Peterside, a former goalkeeper who played for Rangers of Enugu, said on the morning show.
“I have always said it, I am so proud to be from this great country. We produce potential. We have everything we need to succeed. It is just the management of it that is the problem. We should beat Gabon, and I do think we should beat Gabon.”
“I want Nigeria to qualify. I have my passport ready to travel to the Americas to go and watch the World Cup,” the former football-now-turned-pastor said.
READ ALSO: [Preview] Nigeria Face Gabon In Crucial 2026 World Cup Play-Off
On Wednesday, the Super Eagles resolved a bonus row with the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF). The team had boycotted training on Tuesday, citing the federation’s non-payment of a backlog of allowances dating back to 2019.
However, on the eve of the crunch tie against Gabon, captain William Troost-Ekong took to his X handle to confirm that the issue had been resolved and players are now focused on the game.
“Issue RESOLVED. Outstanding financials cleared and on the ground,” the defender wrote, but did not mention details of the payment.
“Team is UNITED and focused as before on representing NIGERIA with our maximum for the games ahead!”
Despite the resolution, Peterside faulted the NFF for its inability to settle the bills.
According to him, the development could undermine the team’s momentum going into the match.
“I have also come to the understanding that the NFF, or the people who run our football, have failed to understand that football is about the players. Not about the management, NFF president, or whoever runs our football,” he said.
“It is all about the players themselves, and if these players are not happy or things are not in order, they will not perform. It affects every one of us who supports them.”
Source: Channels TV
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