Former Super Eagles defender Taye Taiwo has voiced his disappointment over Nigeria’s underwhelming campaign in the ongoing 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, describing the team’s performance as “a shame.”

The 2013 Africa Cup of Nations champions have managed just three wins, five draws, and one defeat, leaving their qualification hopes hanging in the balance.

Taiwo, who featured for Nigeria at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, criticised the team’s lack of urgency and poor preparation, insisting that the Super Eagles possess the talent to qualify for the global showpiece comfortably.

“It’s a shame. Upon all the good players we have playing for good clubs, it’s a shame that we can’t make it to the World Cup,” Taiwo said.

“We have a lot of good players; we have the quality to qualify. It’s just a minor thing that becomes a big thing for us.”

The former AC Milan left-back emphasised that early preparation is crucial to success, citing North African nations as examples of effective planning and consistency.

“If you are going for the World Cup, you need to start early. Because of the World Cup, there is no time to wait for anybody. If you see Egypt and Tunisia, they started early, they won all their games,” he added.

“They can afford to rest players now. But for us, we can’t do that, we have to keep using the same players because we desperately need the points," he added.

The Super Eagles now face a must-win showdown against the Benin Republic in Uyo. Anything less than victory would end Nigeria’s hopes of qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States, Mexico, and Canada.