Barrister Ifeanyi Dike, Chairman of Imo State Football Association, has exclusively spoken to Exclusivenews.com.ng about his belief and conviction that Super Eagles will qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup finals to be staged in the three nations of Mexico, USA and Canada.

Dike spoke even before the Super Eagles crucial 2-0 win against then group C leaders, Rwanda, in Kigali.

He sued for Coach Eric Sekou Chelle support in the campaign to steer Nigeria to her seventh World Cup finals appearance despite her somehow precarious 4th place in the group standings behind South Africa, Benin Republic and Rwanda.

"You see, you cannot really determine or assess someone if you've not given that person opportunity. For me, I think we have a Technical Department in the NFF. And the Technical Department must have considered a lot of factors and indices as well as records that convinced them to settle for coach Sekou Celles", Barrister Dike said. 

"So, it's now left for us Nigerians to give him the necessary support. If we give him the needed support, and he couldn't deliver,  that's when we would be in a better position to assess him as to where he's done well and where he fell short of expectation before we condemn him. 

"For me, I believe Nigeria is a strong football nation and we've what it takes to feature at the big stage that World Cup finals. So we're moving in the right direction; we're qualifying (for the World Cup) and I've not lost hope about Nigeria qualifying for the World Cup. 

"I strongly believe that Super Eagles will qualify for the World Cup. Yes, I'm convinced about that. As for the Nations Cup, that one is assured and guaranteed".

Dike would go on to reveal a fantastic working relations between his FA and Heartland FC as well as other clubs in the state.

"I must tell you that the FA and Heartland enjoy a very rosy and cordial working relationship. This is because, presently, Heartland FC has Emmanuel Amuneke as its Technical Manager.

"Amuneke is a very humane guy and is someone with listening ears and somebody who would always do proper consultation in anything he does. So, since he took over the mantle of leadership of the club, we've been relating very well with the objective of ensuring that Heartland is taken to a greater height. 

"And in that vein, I'm aware that His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Imo State, Senator Hope Uzodinma, has been supporting the club the way it should and has been making things happen. Atleast if not for anything, I'm aware that their entitlements and salaries come as at when due which boosts the morale of the players in most cases.

"Their management staff, I can tell you, have what it takes to move the club forward". 

On the general administration of the game in the South East State of the country, the legal luminary said his administration is one anchored on open door policy.

"When we came on board, I made sure that we carried everyone along. We've been able to carry all the clubs along in our policies and programs.

"FA being the organisers of all football related competitions in the state because, all our arms, heads, legs and body of the FA as well as the body of stakeholders are functioning. They are functioning and we're ready to do our best. 

"Heartland, as well as Kun Khalifat, Heartland Queens and the other teams are our own and we even want more. Imo State is known for football, we can't go back. We've been able to carry them along because the FA is very very effective and functional. 

"All the stakeholders are functional just as all the clubs are very cooperative. So, with that, we will always move".

The Imo FA Boss gravelled the Revival of Imo FA League, stressing that the competition was test-run in 2024 which produced the duo of Ikonzi FC and Don Daniels FC with both teams now in the Nationwide League.

 "Actually, we had Imo League last year, though it wasn't elaborate. That was from where we produced teams like Don Daniels FC and Ikonzi FC that are now in the NLO. 

"We're now preparing for a very lucrative one this time around".

He disclosed that lack sponsorship is affecting the competition and opened his administration's door wide open for corporate outfits as well as government to help out.

 "The problem we're having is sponsorship. And that's why we're starting very early this time around, atleast to sensitise the public, corporate entities and even the government to see the need to come to our aid when I comes to sponsorship of our competitions", he said. 

Barrister Dike painted a picture of the state of things before he took over the hot seat as chief priest in the temple of football administration in the state.

"Before now, Imo State was not where it was supposed to be in football in Nigeria considering the achievements, talents and records we've here Imo State. 

"You'll agree with me that before now, in all the cadres of football in Nigeria National Teams, Imo State, what I mean by that is that I'm referring to the old Imo State that includes Abia State and parts of Ebonyi State, produces the highest number and best football talents one can think of. 

"But for sometime, I wouldn't put a finger on what actually happened that made us to slack back somehow. But as God may have it, after my assumption of office as Chairman of Imo State Football Association, I made it a point of duty to make sure that I brought all the stakeholders together, call it an all inclusive administration that I preached for, which I made sure that my keyword is that nobody would be left behind and certainly, we're not leaving anybody behind. 

"We've brought together all the stakeholders which include Referees Association, Sports Writers Association, Coaches Association, Football Administrators Association, the Fans/Supporters and the players who are the major key stakeholders and even the government in the whole process. 

"That's why you could see us achieving results because we run an open door policy in everything we do and as well ensure that we carried everybody along. 

"And at the same time, we've formulated programs and have embarked on sensitising our affiliate members of the football family to educate them on the present situation in Nigeria and the World when it comes to the rules and regulations of football as well as making them know that football is one of the most lucrative businesses one can think of now. 

"That being the case, I can tell you, we've had positive results and achievements so far. Before now, I'm aware that it's been long Imo State could boast of about 20 clubs participating in the Federation Cup within the last five, six years. 

"However,  now I can comfortably tell you that we have over 20 clubs that participated in the 2025 Imo State Federation Cup competition", Dike concluded.