WCQ: Eagles beat Lesotho, but the hard part begins now 

After their neat 2–1 victory over Lesotho in Maseru, the Super Eagles have given themselves a fighting chance, but the road to the 2026 FIFA World Cup remains narrow.

The win, Nigeria’s second in the qualifiers, keeps them third in Group C, behind Benin Republic and South Africa. With only one automatic ticket available to the group winner, and the second-placed team possibly forced into a tense playoff route, the Eagles must now depend on more than their own performance to secure qualification.

Their next and final group match against Benin Republic has become the ultimate decider. For Nigeria, nothing short of victory will do and not just any win, but a convincing one. A two-goal margin, not just winning, could prove crucial as goal difference may decide who tops the group if teams end level on points.

But even a win may not be enough. The Eagles also need South Africa to drop points in their final fixture against Rwanda. If the Bafana Bafana win, Nigeria’s path to automatic qualification vanishes, leaving them to rely on the uncertain fate of the playoff system reserved for the best runners-up across all African groups.

The situation became more complicated after FIFA recently docked South Africa three points for fielding an ineligible player, a twist that briefly reopened Nigeria’s chances and reshuffled the group standings.

For now, José Peseiro’s men can only do their part: beat Benin, and beat them well. Anything less, and the Super Eagles could miss the World Cup for the second consecutive time.

Truth is, the Eagles have one last chance to soar or fall from the skies and miss out from the World Cup consecutively.