Former Nigeria coach Gernot Rohr has voiced his regret over the absence of key attacking talents Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman from the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The ex-Super Eagles boss believes their non-participation is a significant loss for the tournament.
Nigeria failed to secure a spot in the global showpiece for the second consecutive edition, having last featured in 2018. Despite Africa being represented by ten nations, the three-time continental champions were notably absent.
Reflecting on the qualifying campaign, Rohr pointed out that Nigeria’s slow start proved costly. The team finished second in their group behind South Africa, which also included Lesotho, Zimbabwe, Rwanda, and Benin Republic. Subsequently, they lost to DR Congo in the play-off round.
Speaking to Footy Africa, Rohr remarked, “It is unfortunate that Nigeria hasn’t been at the World Cup since 2018. In our group, they had outstanding individual talents but failed to function as a cohesive unit early on, dropping too many points.”
He added, “It is a real shame that world-class players like Osimhen, Lookman, and Chukwueze are not on display at this World Cup. For me, it’s a pity.”