SUPER Eagles of Nigeria defender Kenneth Omeruo believes the team paid for their wastefulness in front of goal in the 2-0 friendly defeat to Mali in Marrakech, Morocco last night as he turns his attention to the World Cup qualifying campaign resuming in June.
Omeruo, who won the Africa Cup of Nations with the Super Eagles in 2013, was in the starting line-up last night as Mali defeated Nigeria for the first time in 49 years, and the Kasimpasa centre-back felt his side should have been more clinical.
El Bilal Toure and Kamouri Doumbia struck last night to beat Finidi George’s side, just four days after the Nigerians earned praise for a 2-1 victory over Ghana.
“We went into the match against Mali determined to win, just as we did against Ghana. In the end, they took their chances and we failed to take ours. That’s football. You just have to take the chances that come your way,” said Omeruo, who captained the Super Eagles last night and was involved in 2013 when Nigeria beat Mali 4-1 in the AFCON semi-final in Durban, South Africa.
“June is only a few weeks away. We are focused on the matches against South Africa and Benin Republic. Many players in the group have not played at the World Cup before and they see this as the big opportunity to be there. We cannot afford to let ourselves and the nation down.”
The Super Eagles began their 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign on a shaky note, drawing their first two. group matches 1-1 against Lesotho at home and Zimbabwe away, and need victories in June.
The three-time African champions host South Africa in Uyo and then face neighbours Benin Republic away in the international window of June 3 to June 11, in the matchdays 3 and 4 of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign.
Meanwhile, the Super Eagles contingent to the friendly matches against Ghana and Mali in Marrakech has departed the Moroccan city, with most of the players flying back to their bases in Europe.
Officials, including interim head coach Finidi George and other technical and administrative staff, are scheduled to depart Casablanca aboard a Royal Air Maroc plane to Lagos tonight.
