Samuel Chukwueze has reaffirmed his determination to help Nigeria secure vital wins in their upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Rwanda and South Africa, following his recent loan transfer to Premier League club Fulham. The Super Eagles winger, who joined Fulham from AC Milan on a season-long loan with an option to buy reportedly exceeding €25 million, is now fully focused on the international stage.
Speaking exclusively to Fulham FC TV, Chukwueze emphasised, “For now I am just focusing on the game. We need the two games, Rwanda and South Africa. So, I think we have to win the two games to secure our World Cup ticket. Now I’ve secured this one (Fulham move), so I’m going to focus on getting the job done for Nigeria.”
The move to Craven Cottage also reunites Chukwueze with fellow Nigerians Alex Iwobi and Calvin Bassey, strengthening the Nigerian presence in the Fulham squad. This fresh club challenge is expected to boost his confidence ahead of the critical fixtures.
The Super Eagles began preparations in Uyo on September 1 for back-to-back qualifiers. Nigeria will host Rwanda at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium on September 6 before travelling to South Africa’s Toyota Stadium in Bloemfontein on September 9. Currently trailing in Group C and outside the automatic qualification spots, Nigeria faces intense pressure to secure maximum points to keep their World Cup ambitions alive.
Former Nigerian international Ben Iroha has publicly urged the team to win all remaining matches to revive their qualification hopes. Nigeria’s coach Eric Sekou Chelle has named a 23-man squad, with Chukwueze’s inclusion considered a vital boost.
Earlier in the qualifiers, Victor Osimhen’s brace helped Nigeria claim a 2-0 victory over Rwanda in Kigali. The Super Eagles will be counting on a repeat of that performance to regain momentum and put themselves back on track for the 2026 World Cup, which will be hosted jointly by the USA, Canada, and Mexico.
