How South Africa vs. Benin and Rwanda vs. Lesotho could shape Super Eagles’ World Cup hopes

The Super Eagles of Nigeria are in desperate need of maximum points as they prepare to face Zimbabwe in a crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification match.

With a rocky start to their campaign, Nigeria’s qualification hopes now hinge not only on their performances but also on the outcomes of key Group C fixtures, particularly South Africa vs. Benin and Rwanda vs. Lesotho.

Nigeria’s struggles in the qualifiers have been well documented. The team managed disappointing draws against Lesotho, Zimbabwe, and South Africa, before suffering a painful 2-1 defeat to the Benin Republic in Abidjan.

Although they recently secured a vital victory against Rwanda, they currently sit in fourth place in Group C with six points from five matches.

The group standings as of now are:

South Africa – 10 points

Benin – 8 points

Rwanda – 7 points

Nigeria – 6 points

With only the top two teams in the group earning direct qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the Super Eagles must not only secure victories in their remaining matches but also hope for favorable results in other games.

South Africa vs. Benin: A Decisive Battle

Bafana Bafana, who defeated Benin 2-1 in their first meeting, will be aiming to solidify their hold at the top of the table when they face Gernot Rohr’s Benin Republic in Abidjan.

A victory for South Africa would push them to 13 points, making it significantly harder for Nigeria to catch up. However, a draw or a loss for South Africa would keep the race for qualification open, giving the Super Eagles a better shot when they meet Benin and South Africa in return-leg fixtures.

For Benin, securing three points against South Africa would propel them to 11 points, narrowing the gap among the top teams and intensifying the battle for qualification. Their determination to bounce back after a draw against Zimbabwe makes this fixture highly unpredictable.

Rwanda vs. Lesotho: A Critical Underdog Clash

In another Group C fixture, Rwanda will host Lesotho—one of the surprise teams in the group. Lesotho held Nigeria to a frustrating 1-1 draw in Uyo and will be eager to prove that result was no fluke.

Meanwhile, Rwanda will look to strengthen their qualification hopes with a home win.

For Nigeria, the ideal scenario would be a victory for Rwanda and a draw between South Africa and Benin. This outcome would ensure that Rwanda remains within reach while preventing any team from pulling too far ahead.

Super Eagles Must Take Responsibility

While the results of these fixtures will play a crucial role in shaping the group standings, the Super Eagles cannot afford to rely solely on external outcomes.

They must take full responsibility by securing victories in their remaining games—especially challenging away ties against Benin, Rwanda, and South Africa.

With the stakes higher than ever, Nigeria’s qualification dream is still alive, but the team must rise to the occasion and deliver results when it matters most.