The road to the 2026 FIFA World Cup has taken a daunting turn for Nigeria’s Super Eagles, who find themselves in a precarious fifth position in Group C after a rocky 2025 AFCON qualifying campaign. With six games remaining, the Eagles must deliver flawless performances while hoping other results disrupt South Africa’s momentum.
Hugo Broos, coach of South Africa’s Bafana Bafana, remains confident about his team’s prospects, stating that their recent form and growing team chemistry position them as strong contenders. “We are becoming a very good team,” Broos said. “If South Africa can qualify for the World Cup, it is now.”
South Africa currently sits second in Group C with seven points and a +1 goal difference, behind Rwanda, who leads with seven points and a +2 aggregate. Benin follows closely with seven points and a zero-goal aggregate, while Lesotho holds six points in fourth. Nigeria, with just three points and a significant gap, faces an uphill task as they prepare for March 2025 fixtures.
The Super Eagles, led by interim coach Austin Eguavoen, suffered a critical defeat to Rwanda in their final AFCON qualifiers. Eguavoen dismissed the loss as a non-factor in their World Cup campaign but acknowledged the challenges ahead, starting with an away match against Rwanda in March.
Adding to Nigeria’s uncertainty is the lack of a permanent head coach. While some Nigerians are calling for Eguavoen’s retention, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) is reportedly searching for a foreign coach. This indecision has further compounded concerns about the team’s ability to navigate the qualifiers successfully.
South Africa, on the other hand, aims to capitalize on their AFCON momentum. They have not lost a match since their semifinal exit against Nigeria at the 2023 AFCON in Côte d’Ivoire. Broos plans to secure maximum points against Lesotho and Zimbabwe in their upcoming matches, which he believes will solidify their World Cup ticket.
For Nigeria, the qualifiers represent a mountain to climb, but the Super Eagles have proven resilient in the past. Fans will be watching closely to see if they can defy the odds and reclaim their place on football’s grandest stage.
