Benin, South Africa stand between Super Eagles, 2026 World Cup qualification
Nigeria’s 2-1 win over Lesotho on Friday, ensured they are in a three-horse race to qualify for the 2026 World Cup, from Group C of the African zone.
A terrible run in the qualifying series, saw the Super Eagles not only need to win their last two fixtures, but also pray and permutate.
The first ray of hope came with FIFA deducting three points from South Africa, for fielding an ineligible player against Lesotho in March.
The world football governing body also deducted three goals from Bafana Bafana, a decision that saw them drop into second place behind Benin Republic on goal difference.
Coincidentally, the second ray of hope also came from South Africa. Their 0-0 draw with Zimbabwe on Friday, gives Nigeria confidence they could still play in next year’s tournament.
It was, not however, a smooth victory for Eric Chelle’s men. Having dominated the first half without scoring, they were awarded a penalty after the break and captain William Troost-Ekong stepped up to put it away confidently.
Sevilla striker, Akor Adams, doubled the Eagles’ advantage with a well-taken goal.
All of a sudden, there was jeopardy. Goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali fumbled the ball in his area and Hlompho Kalake had the easy task of lifting the ball into an empty net.
Lesotho almost got a second with the last kick of the game after another Nwabali error. But the ball trickled past the post.
“We did what we had to do today, win,” JJ Omojuwa, a Nigerian author and publisher, tells DAILY POST.
“It was not pleasing on the eye. We should not be where we are now but today’s game had a mission and that was to get the three points.
“In that sense, job done.”
There were a lot of mixed opinions about Chelle’s tactical choices. The Malian opted to start both Victor Osimhen and Tolu Arokodare up front, with what looked like a back three at times.
“I think he switched things up today by playing two in front,” Omojuwa explains.
“But we still aren’t playing well, even against a football minnow.
“Overall, if we had averaged his points before he came, we’d be in a better position now.
“The players did what they had to. They just need to do it again against Benin and then we pray for Rwanda to get something in South Africa. Tough ask both,” he added.
This is where we bring out the calculators.
Nigeria must beat Benin Republic by at least two goals when they meet next Tuesday.
This is because Gernor Rohr’s men lead on goal difference with five goals, while Nigeria and South Africa are both on three goals.
The Super Eagles will also need some help. South Africa must either lose or draw against Rwanda in their last match.
If South Africa wins, Nigeria’s chances of qualifying automatically would be very slim.
Only the group winners secure direct qualification to the World Cup, while the four best runners-up go to the play-offs. This means every goal and point is now crucial.
“I think we will do it,” Omojuwa says.
“But our destiny isn’t completely in our hands. South Africa will fancy themselves at home against Rwanda.”
Rohr was the head coach of the Super Eagles until December 2021. He was sacked despite qualifying for the 2021 African Cup of Nations and the final round of qualifying for the World Cup playoffs.
It could be revenge served cold if he leaves Uyo with Benin’s first ever World Cup ticket.
Omojuwa adds: “That’s a likely scenario and he’d have had the last laugh really.
“Because he had a respectable record as our coach, often qualifying for tournaments with games to spare, even in difficult groups.”