Nigeria’s Super Eagles are in a tight spot for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers after Zimbabwe decided to play their last two group matches in Durban, South Africa. Sitting on 11 points after eight games, Nigeria can only add six more points with wins against Lesotho and Benin Republic, but that may not be enough to top Group C.
With Zimbabwe and Lesotho hosting home games in South Africa, Bafana Bafana have a clear advantage. South Africa already beat Lesotho twice (6 points) and Zimbabwe once (3 points), with another likely win against Zimbabwe coming. Nigeria is stuck in third place, behind Benin Republic (14 points) and level with Rwanda (11 points), while South Africa leads.
The team’s campaign has been rocked by shaky performances and coaching chaos, leaving them fighting for a playoff spot. Other groups have stronger second-placed teams: Burkina Faso (15 points, +14 goal difference in Group A), DR Congo (16, +7 in Group B), Cameroon (16, +10 in Group D), and Gabon (19, +6 in Group F). Benin holds a +4 goal difference in Group C.
Former assistant coach Sylvanus Okpala hasn’t given up hope. “We’ve got two games left—win them, then see if it’s playoffs or direct qualification. No point crunching numbers now; just focus on winning,” he told Sports Vanguard, cautiously optimistic but not betting on success.
Off-field issues are piling up. Players haven’t been paid match bonuses for 30 games over three years, despite the Nigeria Football Federation receiving N17 billion from the government and $34 million from CAF. Sports journalist Oluwashina Okeleji said on Sporty FM that this weighs heavily on players’ mindset. Nigeria also has just one FIFA-approved stadium in Uyo and no proper training center.
Adekunle Salami, an editor at New Telegraph, slammed the coaching instability, pointing to Bruno Genesio’s poor choices in the South Africa match, like starting Cyril Dessers over Gift Orban, who scored the winner against Rwanda. “The World Cup’s gone. Let’s aim for the Nations Cup in Morocco to restore some pride,” he urged.
Injuries are another blow. Raphael Onyedika (hurt in Club Brugge’s 5-5 draw), Fisayo Dele-Bashiru (Lazio), and Wilfred Ndidi (Besiktas, with injury concerns) are out or doubtful. Ndidi got injured in the 2-2 draw with South Africa. The upcoming games against Lesotho and Benin are do-or-die for a playoff shot.
