World Cup
Nigeria, Rwanda Keep Eyes on Lesotho–South Africa Showdown Ahead of Uyo Clash
By KUNLE SOLAJA.
As Nigeria prepare to host Rwanda in Uyo on Saturday, attention in Group C of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers will first shift to Mangaung this Friday, where South Africa face Lesotho in a clash that could reshape the group’s balance of power.
Lesotho, currently fifth on six points, are still very much in contention despite their lowly position.
Their tally might have been nine had FIFA ruled on an earlier South Africa infringement, but the Crocodiles remain within touching distance of the leaders.
In a curious twist, the match—technically a Lesotho home fixture—will be staged at the Free State Stadium in South Africa.
Group leaders South Africa, on 13 points, know that victory will allow them to retain command of the section, piling pressure on Nigeria, Rwanda and Benin who play on Saturday.
For Lesotho, however, the stakes are even higher: a win would catapult them from fifth place to second before the other fixtures kick off, instantly tightening the race.
The outcome in Mangaung will ripple across the group. Nigeria, on seven points, must host Rwanda less than 24 hours later, knowing that defeat would damage their push for top spot—especially with a daunting trip to South Africa looming just three days after the Uyo showdown.
Rwanda, on eight points, face a similar scenario: Saturday’s result could either cement their challenge or leave them chasing shadows if South Africa or Lesotho edge ahead.
Benin, meanwhile, will host Zimbabwe in Abidjan also this Friday with hopes of staying alive in the qualification picture.
With only group winners guaranteed automatic tickets to the 2026 World Cup in North America, Friday’s Lesotho–South Africa encounter promises to be just as destiny-shaping as the Super Eagles’ must-win clash against Rwanda.
The next 24 hours could go a long way in defining one of Africa’s most unpredictable qualification races.
Group C Permutations – If Lesotho v South Africa…
Result South Africa Lesotho Implications Lesotho Win 13 pts – Stay 13 6 pts → 9 Lesotho leap to 2nd place; piles pressure on Nigeria (7pts) & Rwanda (8 pts) Lesotho Draw 13 pts → 14 6 pts → 7 South Africa stay top, but leave door open for Nigeria/Rwanda to close gap South Africa Win 13 pts → 16 6 pts → stay 6 Bafana Bafana stretch lead; Nigeria & Rwanda face must-win in Uyo
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The following is a list of teams that have qualified for the 2026 World Cup, which will be hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada from June 11 to July 19.
UNITED STATES
Taking part as hosts
Best performance: Third place (1930)
MEXICO:
Taking part as hosts
Best performance: Quarter-finals (1970, 1986)
CANADA:
Taking part as hosts
Best performance: Group stage (1986, 2022)
JAPAN
Qualified on March, 20.
Best performance: Round of 16 (2002, 2010, 2018, 2022)
NEW ZEALAND
Qualified on March, 24.
Best performance: Group stage (1982, 2010)
IRAN
Qualified on March, 25.
Best performance: Group stage (1978, 1998, 2006, 2014, 2018, 2022)
ARGENTINA
Qualified on March, 25.
Best performance: Winners (1978, 1986, 2022)
UZBEKISTAN
Qualified on June, 5.
Best performance: Never previously qualified.
SOUTH KOREA
Qualified June, 5.
Best performance: Fourth place (2002)
JORDAN
Qualified June, 5.
Best performance: Never previously qualified.
AUSTRALIA
Qualified June, 10.
Best performance: Round of 16 (2006, 2022)
BRAZIL
Qualified June, 10.
Best performance: Winners (1958, 1962, 1970, 1994, 2002)
ECUADOR
Qualified June, 10.
Best performance: Round of 16 (2006)
URUGUAY
Qualified September, 4.
Best performance: Winners (1930, 1950)
COLOMBIA
Qualified September, 4.
Best performance: Quarter-finals (2014)
PARAGUAY
Qualified September, 4.
Best performance: Quarter-finals (2010)
MOROCCO
Qualified September, 5.
Best performance: Semi-finals (2022)
TUNISIA
Qualified September, 8.
Best performance: Group Stage (1978, 1998, 2002, 2006, 2018, 2022)
EGYPT
Qualified October, 8.
Best performance: Round of 16 (1934)
-Reuters
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Egypt became the third African country to book a berth at next year’s World Cup finals with an easy 3-0 win over Djibouti in Casablanca on Wednesday that secured them top place in Group A with one game remaining.
Egypt, who have competed at three previous World Cups, join fellow north African nations Morocco and Tunisia at the 2026 tournament in North America.
-Reuters
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Russia-based forward Olakunle Olusegun is still awaiting an entry visa to South Africa, creating the possibility that Nigeria may prosecute the encounter with only 21 available players.
Friday’s crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying encounter at the New Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane, South Africa.
Head Coach Eric Sekou Chelle will have a total of 20 players available for Wednesday’s second training session, as the Super Eagles intensify preparations for the tie against the Crocodiles.
By Tuesday night, 18 players had checked into the team’s camp at The Ranch Hotel in Polokwane, with Portugal-based defender Zaidu Sanusi and Spain-based forward Jerome Akor Adams expected to join on Wednesday. United States-based midfielder Alhassan Yusuf Abdullahi is due to arrive on Thursday.
Chelle has had to adjust his squad following injuries to Bright Osayi-Samuel and Cyriel Dessers, prompting the late inclusion of Zaidu Sanusi and Christantus Uche of Crystal Palace. Earlier, a knock to wing-back Felix Agu had reduced the initial 23-man roster to 22.
Team captain William Ekong lacing his boots for training in Polokwane on Tuesday
Friday’s Matchday 9 fixture will kick off at 6pm South Africa time (5pm Nigeria time) at the New Peter Mokaba Stadium, as the Super Eagles aim to strengthen their position in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying race.
21 SUPER EAGLES TO BATTLE LESOTHO IN POLOKWANE
Goalkeepers: Stanley Nwabali (Chippa United, South Africa); Amas Obasogie (Singida Blackstars, Tanzania); Adeleye Adebayo (Volos FC, Greece)
Defenders: William Ekong (Al-Kholood, Saudi Arabia); Calvin Bassey (Fulham FC, England); Oluwasemilogo Ajayi (Hull City, England); Zaidu Sanusi (FC Porto, Portugal); Bruno Onyemaechi (Olympiakos, Greece); Benjamin Fredericks (Dender FC, Belgium)
Midfielders: Alex Iwobi (Fulham FC, England); Frank Onyeka (Brentford FC, England); Alhassan Yusuf Abdullahi (New England Revolution, USA); Wilfred Ndidi (Besiktas FC, Turkey); Christantus Uche (Crystal Palace, England)
Forwards: Ademola Lookman (Atalanta BC, Italy); Samuel Chukwueze (Fulham FC, England); Victor Osimhen (Galatasaray FC, Turkey); Simon Moses (Paris FC, France); Tolu Arokodare (Wolverhampton Wanderers, England); Terem Moffi (OGC Nice, France); Jerome Akor Adams (Sevilla FC, Spain)
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