BY KUNLE SOLAJA

Nigeria’s dream of securing a direct ticket to the 2026 FIFA World Cup is effectively over following the results of Matchday 8 in the African qualifiers. The Super Eagles, now sitting third in Group C with just 11 points, are trailing behind Benin Republic, who have 14 points and occupy second place.

Even the prospect of reaching the World Cup through the play-off route appears increasingly unlikely. Under the current format, only the top team in each group qualifies automatically, while just four of the nine second-placed teams across the continent will earn a place in the inter-confederation play-offs.

As it stands, Benin—second in Group C—are only eighth in the overall runners-up ranking. Gabon currently lead that list with 19 points and a +10 goal difference, followed by Madagascar and DR Congo with 16 points each.

Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Namibia, and Uganda all sit closely behind with 15 points apiece.

If Nigeria manage to win their remaining two fixtures and finish second in the group, they would end the campaign with 17 points—still short of Gabon’s current tally and likely not enough to break into the top four among the runners-up, especially as other teams are also expected to pick up more points in the final rounds.

With the odds stacked against them, Nigeria’s remaining qualifiers now serve little more than as preparation matches for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations in December.

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The Cape Verde Islands could become the second smallest country to qualify for a World Cup after they took a step closer on Tuesday, while Senegal staged a stunning recovery to boost their chances of a berth at next year’s finals in North America.

Egypt, South Africa and Ivory Coast also moved towards securing first place in their respective groups on a busy day of qualifiers across the continent.

Cape Verde’s 1-0 home win over Cameroon put them four points clear of the Indomitable Lions in Group D and they have their destiny in their hands with two matches to play next month.

The west African island archipelago, with a population of just above 600,000, won in Praia with a 54th-minute goal from striker Dailon Livramento, who stripped Carlos Baleba of the ball in his own half before sprinting away from the defenders and slotting the ball expertly past goalkeeper Andre Onana.

Cape Verde need three points from next month’s qualifiers away to Libya and at home against Eswatini.

Iceland, with about 350,000 people, is the smallest country to have competed at the finals when they played at Russia 2018.

Senegal moved closer to making it three World Cups in a row after coming from 2-0 down to beat Democratic Republic of Congo 3-2 away in Kinshasa, where the 80,000 Stade des Martyrs was packed to capacity four hours before the Group B clash.

SARR VOLLEY

After Nicolas Jackson missed with a close-range header in the fifth minute, the Congolese opened the scoring through Cedric Bakambu in the 27th minute before Yoane Wissa extended their lead five minutes later.

Senegal pulled one back through Pape Gueye in the 39th minute, with Jackson equalising early in the second half before Pape Matar Sarr won the game with an 87th-minute volley to leave his side two points clear of their second-placed opponents.

Egypt would have become the third African country to qualify — after Morocco and Tunisia — had they won in Burkina Faso but a 0-0 draw means they still need two points from their final two Group A fixtures to make sure.

African champions Ivory Coast remain one point ahead of Gabon in Group F after the two teams drew 0-0 in Franceville.

Gabon had the better chances as a noisy home crowd willed them on and came within inches of victory when Shavy Babicka rattled the woodwork three minutes from time.

South Africa remain in the driving seat in Group C after a 1-1 home draw with Nigeria, which all but ends any hopes the Super Eagles had of direct qualification.

An own goal from Nigeria captain William Troost Ekong handed hosts South Africa the lead in Bloemfontein but Calvin Bassey equalised on the stroke of halftime.

The winners of the nine qualifying groups automatically head to the 2026 World Cup in Canada, Mexico and the U.S. with the four best runners-up advancing to a playoff in November, with the potential of a further place at the finals.

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The Super Eagles still hang on to a thin thread as the World Cup qualifying series go into Match Day 9 after forcing a 1-1 draw with hosts South Africa in Bloemfontein on Tuesday night. A tradition was however maintained: Bafana Bafana on their home soil has never beaten the Super Eagles.

Despite the draw, the match outcome sees South Africa take over the top spot in Group with 17 points. Nigeria, temporarily second with 11 points, await the outcome of the Benin versus Lesotho match to confirm their position.

The game got off to a challenging start for the Super Eagles when captain William Troost-Ekong inadvertently deflected the ball into his own net, putting the hosts ahead.

However, Nigeria fought back and equalized just before halftime, courtesy of a towering header from Calvin Bassey.

With only a slim chance left for qualification, Nigeria now hopes that Lesotho can upset Benin in their upcoming clash, keeping their World Cup dreams alive.

Next month, the Super Eagles will return to South Africa, where they will face Lesotho at their adopted home ground in a crucial fixture.

The Super Eagles’ journey to World Cup 2026 remains precarious, but their resilience in Bloemfontein keeps the dream alive.

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