Super Eagles of Nigeria have a bigger fish to fry in their quest to reach the 2026 FIFA World Cup after slipping to eighth place in the CAF second-placed teams’ ranking, Soccernet.ng reports.
With only the top four runners-up guaranteed a place in the African playoff, the odds are now stacked against the three-time African champions.
According to the latest standings, Gabon leads the runners-up chart with 18 points from seven matches, while Madagascar and DR Congo follow closely with 16 points each.
Burkina Faso round out the top four with 15 points from eight games, edging past rivals on goal difference.
Cameroon, Namibia, and Uganda still in the mix
Just behind them sit Cameroon, Namibia, and Uganda, all tied on 15 points but outside the qualifying zone due to weaker goal differences.
The Super Eagles, meanwhile, trail in eighth with 11 points from eight matches, which leaves them far off the playoff positions.
Nigeria’s slim qualification hopes
This situation leaves Nigeria with no margin for error in their final fixtures. To stand any chance, they must collect maximum points and record convincing victories to boost their goal difference.
Even then, their fate could hinge on results elsewhere as direct rivals in the second-placed ranking also push for qualification.
Two games to decide Super Eagles’ fate
The Super Eagles had been expected to dominate Group C, but costly draws, including a recent 1-1 stalemate against South Africa, have left them scrambling.
With just two games left, coach Eric Chelle’s men must summon their very best to keep alive hopes of booking a ticket to North America.
Gabon, Madagascar, DR Congo, and Burkina Faso occupy the playoff spots, while the 2013 AFCON champions sit dangerously adrift.
