1 month ago
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The Super Eagles of Nigeria’s World Cup hopes person been fixed a immense boost pursuing FIFA’s determination to dock South Africa 3 points and 3 goals for fielding an ineligible player, Teboho Mokoena, successful their qualifier against Lesotho.
With Group C standings reshuffled, Nigeria’s chances of making it to the 2026 FIFA World Cup are abruptly overmuch brighter.
But the Super Eagles cannot trust connected South Africa’s punishment alone: they inactive person enactment to do.
Currently successful Group C, Benin Republic beryllium astatine the apical with 14 points and a (+4) extremity difference. South Africa person slipped to 2nd place, besides connected 14 points but with an inferior (+2) extremity difference. Nigeria stay successful 3rd with 11 points and a (+2) extremity difference, portion Rwanda way conscionable down successful 4th with 11 points and a extremity quality of (0).
Here are six cardinal steps Nigeria indispensable instrumentality to unafraid their spot astatine the FIFA World Cup:
1. Take Maximum Points from Lesotho and Benin Republic
Winning the last 2 games is non-negotiable. Victories against Lesotho and, crucially, Benin Republic volition enactment Nigeria successful contention and guarantee they bash not permission their destiny successful the hands of different teams.
2. Use the Benin Clash to Knock Out a Key Rival
Benin Republic presently beryllium astatine the apical of Group C with 14 points. Beating them volition not lone adhd 3 points to Nigeria’s tally but besides woody a nonstop stroke to 1 of their main competitors for qualification.
3. Boost Goal Difference with Convincing Wins
Goal quality could beryllium decisive successful specified a choky group. Nigeria indispensable purpose for big-margin victories, peculiarly against Lesotho, to guarantee they are up if the radical comes down to good margins.
4. Count connected South Africa Slipping Up
Despite their punishment, Bafana Bafana stay a beardown contender. Nigeria needs them to driblet astatine slightest 3 points from their remaining 2 games. Both fixtures, including 1 against Rwanda, volition trial South Africa’s resoluteness and whitethorn unfastened the doorway wider for the Super Eagles.
5. Hope Benin Republic Also Stumble
Gernot Rohr’s broadside are inactive firmly successful the race. Nigeria volition not lone request to bushed them but besides payment from Benin dropping points successful their different match. This operation volition tilt the equilibrium successful favour of the Super Eagles.
6. Aim to Win the Group, Not Rely connected Second Place
The maximum Nigeria tin cod is 17 points, which whitethorn not beryllium capable to suffice arsenic 1 of the champion second-placed teams. The surest way is to triumph Group C outright, making victories successful their past 2 matches and slip-ups from rivals perfectly crucial.
The station 6 ways Nigeria tin scope 2026 FIFA World Cup aft South Africa docked 3 points appeared archetypal connected Vanguard News.
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