Paul Onuachu says Nigeria missing out on the 2026 World Cup should not define the team. He believes the Super Eagles have players who can compete with anyone in the world, according to PUNCH Sports Extra.
Onuachu spoke ahead of Nigeria's friendly match against Poland. The team is also set to play Portugal in another friendly after winning the Unity Cup.
He acknowledged the disappointment of not qualifying for the tournament but said the team must move on. “Sad we are not going to the World Cup because we have good players, great players, world-class players, but unfortunately we are not going to the World Cup, but it is football,” he said in an interview with NFF Tv.
“It is always nice to come around the team, meet the boys again, and we are ready, prepared, and we have the quality to play against any team in the world. Hopefully, we are going to show it against Portugal.”
Onuachu’s comments mean more because of his own impressive comeback. He struggled at Southampton, scoring only four goals in 36 matches. In 2023, he moved to Trabzonspor on loan and quickly found his form, netting 15 goals in 21 league matches.
He later made a permanent switch and ended the 2025/26 Turkish Süper Lig season as one of the top scorers, winning the Golden Boot with 22 goals in 30 matches.
The 29-year-old said finding a club that matched his style of play helped him bounce back. “When you are in a team that plays to your strength, who knows your quality, everything will always work out,” he explained.
“I knew what the team wanted, what the city wanted.” He also shared that he promised Trabzonspor's fans he would return stronger before making his transfer permanent. “Even before I made the transfer, I made a video for the fans and told them I was coming back stronger and better, that we had unfinished business from my loan spell.
“I think I fulfilled what I said. So, I was good.”
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