Super Eagles of Nigeria secured all three points in their clash against Rwanda at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo…
The race for a ticket to the 2026 FIFA World Cup from Group C of the African qualifiers took another dramatic twist on Saturday following Nigeria's victory over Rwanda, Soccernet.ng reports.
All three top contenders—South Africa, Benin, and Nigeria—secured crucial victories to keep their campaigns alive.
For Nigeria, which suffered a series of disappointing results earlier in the qualifying campaign, the recent outcome has left fans in calculator mode.
Nigeria, South Africa, Benin
At the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo, the Super Eagles edged Rwanda 1–0 thanks to a second-half strike from Tolu Arokodare, who replaced Frank Onyeka in the 46th minute of the game.
It was a hard-fought win for Nigeria, who had slipped up earlier in the campaign and desperately needed maximum points to stay within touching distance of qualification.
Elsewhere, South Africa continued their dominance at the summit of the group with a comfortable 3-0 win over Lesotho, which stretched their lead and kept their control of the automatic qualification spot.
The Republic of Benin also did their part by defeating the Southern African side Zimbabwe to remain firmly in contention for a playoff berth.
What Does Group C Look Like?
The results leave Nigeria in third place with 10 points from seven matches, just one point behind second-placed Benin but still six points adrift of South Africa, who top the table with 16.
Rwanda slipped to fourth with 8 points, while Lesotho—who could be awarded three points after South Africa’s use of a suspended player—sit fifth on 6 points, with Zimbabwe rooted to the bottom on 4.
Updated Group C Standings
South Africa – 16 points (7 matches)
Benin – 11 points (7 matches)
Nigeria – 10 points (7 matches)
Rwanda – 8 points (7 matches)
Lesotho – 6 points (7 matches)
Zimbabwe – 4 points (7 matches)
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What's Next For The Super Eagles of Nigeria
With only three matches left to play, Nigeria's ticket is held by a tiny thread. Only the group winner qualifies directly for the World Cup, while the runner-up has a chance through the intercontinental playoffs.
The Super Eagles will therefore need to find consistency, beginning with their next clash against South Africa in Bloemfontein, to avoid missing out on a second straight World Cup.
