Super Eagles ready for Sunday’s challenge, says Awaziem
FC Nantes defender Chidozie Collins Awaziem has expressed confidence in the Super Eagles as they prepare for their decisive 2026 World Cup play-off final against DR Congo in Rabat, Morocco, but stressed that the team must give their very best to secure victory on Sunday.
The widely travelled centre-back, who played consecutively for Colorado Rapids and FC Cincinnati in the USA between 2024 and 2025 before rejoining Nantes this summer, described Nigeria’s 4-1 victory over Gabon on Thursday as an outstanding performance.
“It was really an amazing performance by the team, and I’m excited that I played my part in the game. I’m happy for the win and how it all went,” said the defender, who will turn 29 on January 1. “Now, we’ll just focus on the next game this Sunday. We’ve taken the first step and won the game. Now we know what’s at stake, and it’s another step closer to the World Cup.”
Awaziem, who previously played for FC Porto and Boavista in Portugal, Rizespor and Alanyaspor in Turkey, as well as Leganes in Spain and Hajduk Split in Croatia, revealed that all focus in the Super Eagles’ camp is now on Sunday’s clash, in which he hopes to earn his 34th cap.
“We’ll just keep the same spirit and energy we used in the first match, then try to make sure we get victory. Winning on Sunday will take us just one step closer to the World Cup, and we want to achieve that dream,” said Awaziem, who has scored one goal in 33 appearances for Nigeria.
He assured that every player, whether in the starting lineup or on the bench, is ready to help secure the win that will take Nigeria into the intercontinental play-offs scheduled for March 2026 in Mexico.
“We trust everyone in this team, and the coach also trusts all our abilities. We just have to give it our all so that the team can come out with victory. That’s the most important thing. We just have to do our best for the team to win on Sunday,” Awaziem concluded.
