In a surprising turn of events, the Nigerian Super Eagles have dropped from third to fourth place in Group C of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, despite not playing a match.
This shift in standings came as a result of Benin Republic’s 1-0 victory over Rwanda on Thursday.
Led by former Super Eagles coach Genort Rohr, Benin Republic leapfrogged both Nigeria and South Africa, moving into second place in the group with four points, matching the tally of group leaders Rwanda.
The outcome of the Benin-Rwanda match is a mixed blessing for the Super Eagles. While Rwanda’s failure to secure any points is advantageous for Nigeria, the team now finds itself in a precarious position, needing a win against South Africa in Uyo on Friday to reclaim the top spot.
A victory against Bafana Bafana would propel the Super Eagles to the summit of the group with five points, one ahead of Rwanda, who had been leading the standings since their second-game triumph over South Africa.
After the crucial match against South Africa, the Super Eagles face another daunting challenge as they take on the Squirrels of Benin Republic in Ivory Coast on Monday. Meanwhile, South Africa will square off against Zimbabwe in their next fixture.
The shift in the group dynamics has set the stage for an intriguing showdown as the race for World Cup qualification intensifies.
