Nigeria defender Chidozie Awaziem has acknowledged the load of Wilfred Ndidi’s absence forward of Sunday’s decisive 2026 FIFA World Cup playoff last towards DR Congo, calling the midfielder’s suspension a “large miss”, however has insisted the Tremendous Eagles stay mentally primed and totally geared up to complete the job.
Awaziem, who delivered a powerful efficiency and an help in Nigeria’s 4–1 extra-time win over Gabon within the semifinal in Rabat, mentioned the group is marching into the ultimate with conviction, starvation, and a transparent understanding of what’s at stake.
We deserve the win — now the main focus is Sunday
Talking after the victory, the centre-back mirrored on each the group’s dominance and his personal contribution:
“It was actually an incredible efficiency for the group, not only for me. I’m actually excited that I obtained some minutes and in addition the win and the help.
“I’m actually joyful that we obtained the win yesterday, which we deserve, and now we simply give attention to the subsequent recreation on Sunday.”
Awaziem described the semifinal triumph as solely the 1st step in Nigeria’s bigger mission to return to the World Cup stage after lacking Qatar 2022.
“First we had the primary recreation which was step one and sure, we received the sport. Now we already know what’s at stake. We all know that that is one other step nearer to the World Cup.
So we simply preserve the identical spirit, the identical vitality that we used within the first recreation.”
“We’re positively going to overlook him” — Ndidi’s suspension felt
Ndidi’s absence attributable to gathered yellow playing cards is a significant setback, and Awaziem didn’t shrink back from admitting it.
“We’re positively going to overlook him.”
However the defender confused that the Tremendous Eagles’ energy lies of their depth, and within the belief the gamers and training workers have in each other.
READ ALSO: Nigeria 4-1 Gabon: Key takeaways from the Tremendous Eagles’ Rabat resurrection
“However we now have different gamers as nicely who can play the identical place and who’re good as nicely. We belief everybody. The coach trusts everybody, everybody’s means, and I simply hope that whoever comes within the place of Wilfred goes to attempt to do higher than him or attempt to give all of it in order that the group can come out with a victory.”
A last with the whole lot on the road
Nigeria now prepares to face DR Congo on Sunday in Rabat. The winner strikes on to the inter-confederation playoff in March 2026, the ultimate and most brutal hurdle on the street to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
A spot on the mundial is inside attain, and regardless of the setbacks, Awaziem says the Tremendous Eagles are entering into Sunday with one mindset: Similar spirit. Similar vitality. Similar perception.
