3 weeks ago
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The Super Eagles’ 2-1 triumph implicit Lesotho successful Polokwane, South Africa, connected Friday whitethorn person kept their hopes of qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup alive, but the roadworthy to the planetary shot showpiece remains uncertain arsenic they caput into Tuesday’s last Group C fixture against astonishment radical leaders, the Benin Republic’s Cheetahs.
Goals from skipper William Troost-Ekong and substitute Akor Adams ensured that Coach Eric Chelle’s squad secured each 3 points, contempt a schoolboy mistake from goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali, which allowed Lesotho to nett a consolation extremity successful the dying minutes of the match.
Despite the win, Nigeria’s chances of qualification inactive bent successful the equilibrium arsenic they beryllium 3rd successful Group C, 3 points down Benin Republic and 1 constituent adrift of South Africa.
While this triumph offers a glimmer of anticipation pursuing a shaky campaign, the Super Eagles present look a important last lucifer that could find their instrumentality to the World Cup aft missing the past variation successful Qatar.
Friday’s hard-fought triumph against Lesotho has restored content among Nigerian fans, but the Super Eagles indispensable show some objective finishing and composure, portion besides hoping for a changeable of luck if they are to marque their desired instrumentality to the 2026 Mundial.
To unafraid qualification for adjacent year’s tourney successful North America, the Eagles indispensable decision the Cheetahs of Benin convincingly—by astatine slightest 2 unanswered goals—and anticipation that second-placed South Africa fails to triumph against Rwanda successful their last radical match, besides scheduled for Tuesday.
Managed by erstwhile Super Eagles handler Gernot Rohr, the Cheetahs presently pb Group C with 17 points from 9 matches, having a superior extremity quality of +5. South Africa sits successful 2nd spot with 15 points and a extremity quality of +3, portion Nigeria occupies 3rd presumption with 14 points and the aforesaid extremity difference.
With lone the radical winners guaranteed a nonstop summons to the World Cup successful North America—and the 4 champion runners-up heading to the playoffs—every extremity and each constituent present transportation immense significance.
Benin Republic necessitate lone a gully connected Tuesday astatine the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium successful Uyo to unafraid qualification for their maiden World Cup appearance. Conversely, a 2-0 triumph for Nigeria would propel them to the apical of Group C with 17 points, up of Benin connected amended extremity difference, provided South Africa triumphs astatine location against Rwanda.
Even with a beardown victory, Nigeria volition request assistance from elsewhere, hoping that South Africa drops points, either done decision oregon a gully against Rwanda successful their last fixture. A triumph for Bafana Bafana would apt extinguish Nigeria’s hopes of automatic qualification.
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