2026 FIFA World Cup: Super Eagles legend Okocha charges Nigeria, others after qualifying draw

Nigerian football legend Augustine Jay Jay Okocha has sent a message to Nigeria and other African nations ahead of the road to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The capital of Ivory Coast, Abidjan, played host to football leaders and legends as the draw for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers was held earlier this week.

Nigeria’s Okocha led other football legends in the continent as they assembled to assist in the draw.

As reported by Pulse Sports Nigeria, it was a gathering of footballing greats in the continent.

Super Eagles legend Okocha in the company of former Chelsea superstar Didier Drogba led as the former Premier League duo and others helped CAF to group teams ahead of a gruesome road to 2026.

The World Cup will be held jointly by Canada, Mexico and the USA in the summer of 2026. 

Jay Jay watched as Nigeria and others were separated into nine groups. 

Nigeria was handed a tricky group, with the Super Eagles set to rekindle their rivalry with South Africa in Group C which also has Benin Republic, who are managed by former Nigerian coach Gernot Rohr.

After the draw, Okocha charged Nigeria and other nations to emulate Morocco who went all the way to the semifinal of the global showpiece during the last edition in Qatar. 

“Morocco showed that an African country could win the World Cup! We must follow the example of Morocco,” he said per the Sun.

Nigeria missed the last edition and will be looking to be one of nine countries that will represent Africa for the first time at the World Cup.

Okocha had an accomplished career with the Super Eagles and appeared in the three FIFA World Cups (1994, 1998 and 2002) before he hung his boots.