The Super Eagles’ dream of reaching the 2026 FIFA World Cup remains alive — but the road is long, winding, and unforgiving. After a dramatic 4-0 win over Benin in Uyo, Nigeria clinched second place in Group C of the CAF qualifiers, earning a ticket to November’s African playoffs in Morocco.
Group C: How Nigeria Finished
Nigeria’s qualifying campaign was turbulent but ultimately successful. They ended with 17 points from 10 matches, scoring 15 and conceding 8. That tally placed them second behind South Africa (18 points)and just ahead of Benin (17 points, but inferior goal difference).
Final Group C Standings:
- South Africa – 18 pts (Qualified directly)
- Nigeria – 17 pts (CAF playoff spot)
- Benin – 17 pts
- Lesotho – 12 pts
- Rwanda – 11 pts
- Zimbabwe – 5 pts
Nigeria’s Results in the Qualifiers
Under José Peseiro
- Nigeria 1–1 Lesotho
- Zimbabwe 1–1 Nigeria
2 games, 2 points
Under Finidi George
- Nigeria 1–1 South Africa
- Benin 2–1 Nigeria
2 games, 1 point
Under Eric Chelle
- Rwanda 0–2 Nigeria
- Nigeria 1–1 Zimbabwe
- Nigeria 1–0 Rwanda
- South Africa 1–1 Nigeria
- Lesotho 1–2 Nigeria
- Nigeria 4–0 Benin
6 games, 14 points
Eric Chelle’s revival — capped by the emphatic 4–0 win over Benin — sealed Nigeria’s place in the CAF playoffs.
The CAF Playoff Path
CAF’s system grants only group winners direct qualification. Nigeria, as one of the best four runners-up, will contest the playoff tournament in Morocco:
- Semi-finals (Nov 13, 2025)
- Nigeria vs Gabon
- Cameroon vs DR Congo
- Final (Nov 16, 2025)
- Winners meet for a ticket to the inter-confederation playoff.
How CAF Decides the Best Runners-Up
CAF issued a clarification in March 2025 on how the “best four runners-up” are ranked:
- Exclude results vs last-placed teams: Results against the bottom-ranked side in each group do not count when comparing runners-up.
- Points first, then goal difference: After exclusions, teams are ranked on points. If tied, goal difference, goals scored, and FIFA tiebreakers apply.
- Consistency across groups: If a group has fewer teams, results against the bottom-placed sides are removed for fairness.
For Nigeria, this meant matches against Zimbabwe (the group’s last team) did not count in the runners-up calculation. Even with that adjustment, their 15 “official” points were enough to secure one of the four playoff spots.
The Final Hurdle: Inter-Confederation Playoff
Winning in Morocco won’t be enough on its own. The CAF playoff champion will then join the inter-confederation playoff, facing teams from South America, Asia, North/Central America, and Oceania. Only two spots are available for six confederations, making this the ultimate test.
Nigeria’s Chances
- Momentum: 14 of their 17 points came under Eric Chelle.
- Firepower: With Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman, and others firing, Nigeria has the quality to beat anyone on their day.
- Challenges: Gabon have proved tricky opponents in recent years, Cameroon and DR Congo are heavyweight rivals, and the inter-confed playoff could pit Nigeria against South American or Asian giants.
Conclusion
Nigeria’s path to the 2026 World Cup is now set:
- Beat Gabon in the CAF semi-final.
- Win the CAF final (vs Cameroon or DR Congo).
- Survive the inter-confederation playoff against global opposition.
It is a long road, but not an impossible one. The 4–0 demolition of Benin reminded Africa of Nigeria’s potential. Now the Super Eagles must carry that fire into Morocco. Just three wins separate Nigeria from a ticket to the United States, Mexico, and Canada in 2026.
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