Nigeria revived their fading hopes of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup on the back of a laboured 1-0 home win over Rwanda ahead of a decisive showdown Tuesday against group leaders South Africa in Bloemfontein.
Nigeria are up to third on the log, six points off the top ⬆️
Next up: 🆚️ South Afrcia. #whatarush #SuperEagles pic.twitter.com/Ivu1OVrQrv
— Mighty George ™️ (@_MightyGeorge) September 6, 2025
The Super Eagles climbed to third, leap frogging Rwanda in the standings with 10 points from seven matches.
They are now six points adrift of Bafana Bafana of South Africa with three rounds of matches to the end of the series, where only the group winners will advance automatically to next year’s Mundial in USA, Canada and Mexico.
The Super Eagles forced a 1-1 draw at home when both teams clashed in the reverse tie in June 2024.
Tuesday’s clash could well define the overall winners of this group, particularly if the matter of South Africa playing an ineligible player was eventually decided against the South Africans.
Even on paper these two teams were tipped as the main contenders to win this qualifying group that also includes Benin, Lesotho and Zimbabwe.
Benin consolidated second place on the table after they snatched a late winner through captain Steve Mounie against Zimbabwe Friday in Abidjan.
The Cheetahs now have 11 points, a point ahead of Nigeria.
They could well be the dark horses and have on their bench the wily Gernot Rohr, who qualified Nigeria to the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
The little West African nation will further enhance their qualification chances with another home win over Lesotho Tuesday.
Rwanda are now fourth with eight points, while Lesotho are fifth having recorded six points and Zimbabwe are bottom of the standings on four points.
The Amabuvis of Rwanda now face a tricky trip to Zimbabwe Tuesday as this qualifying group remains one of the most open in recent times.
