2026 WCQ: Super Eagles developed ‘elephantiasis’ after Osimhen’s 74th minute goal – Abati ​

Reuben Abati, a veteran journalist and former Senior Adviser on Media and Publicity to former President Goodluck Jonathan, has criticized Nigeria's Super Eagles for their poor outing against the Zimbabwean national team during the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier on Tuesday at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo.

Abati claimed that the Super Eagles developed “elephantiasis” after Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen put the team ahead in the 74th minute.

DAILY POST reported that Nigeria drew 1-1 with Zimbabwe in their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier on Tuesday.

Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen gave Eric Chelle's side the lead in the 74th minute, but Zimbabwe equalized in the 90th minute, thanks to Tawanda Chirewa's strike.

The result against the Warriors of Zimbabwe means the Super Eagles remain in fourth place in Group C, behind leaders South Africa.

However, speaking on Thursday during Arise Television's Morning Show programme, Abati said the poor outing by the national team has left Nigerians doing mathematical permutations on whether they will qualify for the 2026 World Cup.

The veteran journalist said it could be hard for Nigerians to be looking at the World Cup while facing the possibility of not going.

Abati said: “Solomon Dalung, former Minister of Sports, had certain things to say. He was saying that the last time, in fact, that we qualified for the World Cup was in 2018, and that since he left office as Minister of Sports, Nigeria has not been able to qualify for the World Cup.

“And what are the issues that he pointed out? Poor administration, poor leadership. And also, he said the decision to remove, to abolish the Ministry of Sports and hand over sports to the National Sports Commission is part of the problem.

“And now, the reality, whether you agree with him or not, is that after that poor outing at the Akpabio Stadium in Uyo, Nigerians are now left doing mathematical permutations. Because that's precisely what Aaron (Arise Television's sports analyst) did—'Okay, if, because of Mokoena, there is a deduction of three points from South Africa, then Benin Republic will benefit, and Lesotho will benefit, then Nigeria.' That's arithmetic. That's mathematics.

“Why should we ever find ourselves in that kind of situation? And so you may find some of the points raised by the fans who were visibly angry at that encounter with Zimbabwe—'Look, where Osimhen had helped us to score in the 74th minute, and then these Super Eagles just developed elephantiasis until the Zimbabwean who plays in English football put in a goal in the 90th minute.'

“We couldn't even hold on to that one goal from the 74th minute to the 90th minute. That is why many Nigerians were really very angry.

“But now we still have a chance. Since September, when the final four legs will come up against Rwanda and South Africa.

“Rwanda made it clear that they are in this for the long haul. South Africa is also not joking. And Zimbabwe, they told us that they were not in Uyo for holidays. And in the 90th minute, you know, they proved that they were not here for holidays. Instead, it was our own Super Eagles who had been, you know, kept in the camp, access to them was restricted so that they could concentrate. They lost concentration and exposed us to this embarrassment.

“I know I've preached about the spirit of sportsmanship. It can be hard for Nigerians, you know, to be looking at the World Cup and facing the opportunity of not going there.”