Adel Amrouche praises Nigeria and South Africa for advancing in 2026 World Cup qualifiers, urging them to represent Africa with pride and consistency.
Rwanda’s Head Coach, Adel Amrouche, has commended Nigeria and South Africa for their strong performances in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, describing both sides as vital representatives of African football on the global stage.
Speaking after Rwanda’s final qualifying match, Amrouche praised the Super Eagles for their dominant 4–0 victory over Benin Republic in Uyo, a result that secured Nigeria a spot in the World Cup playoffs. The match was highlighted by a stunning hat-trick from Victor Osimhen — his third for the national team — which reaffirmed his reputation as one of Africa’s most lethal forwards.
South Africa, meanwhile, clinched a direct ticket to the World Cup for the first time since hosting the tournament in 2010, edging Nigerian Super Eagles by just one point in the group standings. The outcome left the Super Eagles with a playoff berth, where they will battle for one of the continent’s final qualifying spots.
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Amrouche expressed admiration for both teams, saying their achievements reflect the growing competitiveness of African football. “I’m happy for the coach of Bafana Bafana and for all the teams,” he said. “Africa needs people who can represent us — like Nigeria — a strong team capable of carrying the continent’s flag at the World Cup.”
He added that qualifying is only the beginning of a greater responsibility. “When you play for Africa, you must give more than what we saw in these qualifiers. You must always be at the top,” Amrouche urged.
The Rwandan coach, who has previously managed several national sides across the continent, noted that consistent performances on the world stage are essential to changing perceptions about African teams. “Every World Cup is a chance to show our strength, discipline, and unity,” he said. “Nigeria and South Africa have that potential.”
Looking ahead, Nigeria will face Gabon in the semifinal of the African playoffs in Morocco on November 13, 2025. The team’s final seeding for that fixture will depend on the recent FIFA ranking of October 17, 2025, which has placed Nigeria on 41st position, restoring the Super Eagles to Africa’s top 5 teams.
As the continent’s attention turns to the decisive playoff round, Amrouche’s message echoed a broader sentiment shared across Africa — that the World Cup offers not only a test of skill, but also an opportunity for African teams to prove their place among football’s elite.
