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.
Discover more from LN247
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
Great article! I’ll definitely come back for more posts like this.
You’ve built a lot of trust through your consistency.
You bring a fresh voice to a well-covered topic.
Thanks for making this so reader-friendly.
I really needed this today. Thank you for writing it.
It’s refreshing to find something that feels honest and genuinely useful. Thanks for sharing your knowledge in such a clear way.
You have a real gift for explaining things.
Excellent work! Looking forward to future posts.
5lumje
**glpro**
glpro is a natural dietary supplement designed to promote balanced blood sugar levels and curb sugar cravings.
**sugarmute**
sugarmute is a science-guided nutritional supplement created to help maintain balanced blood sugar while supporting steady energy and mental clarity.
**vittaburn**
vittaburn is a liquid dietary supplement formulated to support healthy weight reduction by increasing metabolic rate, reducing hunger, and promoting fat loss.
**synaptigen**
synaptigen is a next-generation brain support supplement that blends natural nootropics, adaptogens
**glucore**
glucore is a nutritional supplement that is given to patients daily to assist in maintaining healthy blood sugar and metabolic rates.
**prodentim**
prodentim an advanced probiotic formulation designed to support exceptional oral hygiene while fortifying teeth and gums.
**nitric boost**
nitric boost is a dietary formula crafted to enhance vitality and promote overall well-being.
**sleep lean**
sleeplean is a US-trusted, naturally focused nighttime support formula that helps your body burn fat while you rest.
**wildgut**
wildgutis a precision-crafted nutritional blend designed to nurture your dog’s digestive tract.
**mitolyn**
mitolyn a nature-inspired supplement crafted to elevate metabolic activity and support sustainable weight management.
**yusleep**
yusleep is a gentle, nano-enhanced nightly blend designed to help you drift off quickly, stay asleep longer, and wake feeling clear.
**zencortex**
zencortex contains only the natural ingredients that are effective in supporting incredible hearing naturally.
**breathe**
breathe is a plant-powered tincture crafted to promote lung performance and enhance your breathing quality.
**prostadine**
prostadine is a next-generation prostate support formula designed to help maintain, restore, and enhance optimal male prostate performance.
**pineal xt**
pinealxt is a revolutionary supplement that promotes proper pineal gland function and energy levels to support healthy body function.
**energeia**
energeia is the first and only recipe that targets the root cause of stubborn belly fat and Deadly visceral fat.
**prostabliss**
prostabliss is a carefully developed dietary formula aimed at nurturing prostate vitality and improving urinary comfort.
**boostaro**
boostaro is a specially crafted dietary supplement for men who want to elevate their overall health and vitality.
**potent stream**
potent stream is engineered to promote prostate well-being by counteracting the residue that can build up from hard-water minerals within the urinary tract.
**hepatoburn**
hepatoburn is a premium nutritional formula designed to enhance liver function, boost metabolism, and support natural fat breakdown.
**hepato burn**
hepato burn is a potent, plant-based formula created to promote optimal liver performance and naturally stimulate fat-burning mechanisms.
**neuro genica**
neuro genica is a dietary supplement formulated to support nerve health and ease discomfort associated with neuropathy.
**cellufend**
cellufend is a natural supplement developed to support balanced blood sugar levels through a blend of botanical extracts and essential nutrients.
**prodentim**
prodentim is a forward-thinking oral wellness blend crafted to nurture and maintain a balanced mouth microbiome.
**revitag**
revitag is a daily skin-support formula created to promote a healthy complexion and visibly diminish the appearance of skin tags.
i9o136
Very interesting info !Perfect just what I was looking for! “Washington is the only place where sound travels faster than light.” by C. V. R. Thompson.
You have mentioned very interesting details! ps nice web site.
Thank you for the sensible critique. Me & my neighbor were just preparing to do a little research on this. We got a grab a book from our local library but I think I learned more clear from this post. I’m very glad to see such great information being shared freely out there.