The African qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup resume, with crucial matches for notable teams, including Nigeria and Mali, looming on the horizon. Nigeria's new coach, Eric Chelle, emphasizes the pressure of winning as they sit without a victory in their group. Similarly, Mali's coach, Tom Saintfiet, acknowledges the challenge ahead, recognizing the potential of his talented squad. The nine group winners earn direct spots for the World Cup in North America, while the best four second-placed teams will compete for an additional playoff spot.
"There is pressure in football," he told BBC Sport Africa. "I say time is the enemy of the coach. But I'm confident and I believe in my players."
"We are not in an easy position but I have a very talented group," Saintfiet told BBC Sport Africa. "It's a big luxury to have so many quality players."
Collection
[
|
...
]