Mali head coach Tom Saintfiet has stated that it would be a huge disappointment if Nigeria fails to qualify for the FIFA World Cup.

The Super Eagles are currently fourth in Group C, with just three points after four games.

The three-time African champions are yet to secure a win in the qualifiers campaign and are at risk of missing out on the Mundial for the second consecutive time, having failed to qualify for the last edition in Qatar.

Saintfiet, however, believes it would be shocking for Nigeria to miss out on a World Cup ticket, given the quality of players in the team.

“It will be a big disappointment, a big shock, if Nigeria doesn’t qualify with this potential, with these quality players.

“With all respect for the opponents—South Africa have a very good coach, a good team—but Nigeria has so much quality, so they have to do everything. They have to catch up on the points they lost. In that group, I think they will qualify.”

WDN