Nigeria’s Tremendous Eagles have a mountain to climb in what looks like an not possible mission to make it to the 2026 World Cup in the US, Canada, and Mexico.
Their possibilities grew smaller after a last-gasp equaliser from Chirewa Tawanada salvaged a degree for Zimbabwe. Eric Chelle’s males missed out three necessary factors, settling for a single after that stoppage time objective struck a dagger into the hearts of Nigerians.
Having collected solely seven factors in six matches, the Tremendous Eagles sit in fourth place, one level behind Benin and Rwanda, and 6 lower than first-placed South Africa.
With 4 extra qualifying video games to play, Nigerians should pray these 4 groups, particularly South Africa, slip up in at the least two matches.
Nonetheless, the hole might be diminished to 3 if Bafana Bafana are sanctioned for fielding an ineligible player of their 2-0 win over Lesotho.
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Bafana Bafana midfielder Teboho Mokoena ought to have been serving a one-match suspension after selecting up yellow playing cards in earlier matches in opposition to Benin and Zimbabwe.
Nonetheless, the 28-year-old performed of their victory over the Crocodiles, prompting Lesotho to file a proper criticism with FIFA.
This, the Lesotho nationwide staff has taken up with their soccer affiliation’s secretary basic quoted by the BBC as saying:
We hope for them to respect their very own laws and act appropriately. Even when they simply warning South Africa, it will likely be okay. If they provide us the factors, so be it. [It would be] the cherry on prime.
Ought to South Africa be penalized with a points deduction, Lesotho might be awarded a 3-0 technical victory, transferring them into second place, only one level behind South Africa.
This could additionally supply a major enhance to Nigeria’s World Cup hopes, because the Tremendous Eagles, at present six factors adrift of the highest spot, would achieve floor with 4 fixtures remaining after their 1-1 draw with Zimbabwe. They may then be solely three factors beneath the Bafana Bafana.
Nonetheless, three factors are nonetheless vital, and South Africa can nonetheless maintain on to that benefit.
So, how can Nigeria nonetheless qualify for the worldwide Mundial if (and an enormous if certainly) South Africa are sanctioned?
Permutations and sure outcomes that might favour Nigeria
Three factors will separate Group C leaders South Africa and fifth-placed Nigeria as a result of Lesotho, who’re at present on six factors, will probably be awarded three factors which is able to see them climb to second on 9 factors.
Right here’s the twist, the Tremendous Eagles nonetheless must tackle the Bafana Bafana on matchday eight. However earlier than that, they need to win in opposition to Rwanda and pray Lesotho maintain South Africa to a draw on dwelling turf whereas Zimbabwe give Benin a run for his or her cash.
Then they need to beat South Africa to leap to 13 factors. If that occurs and the opposite two Group C video games finish in stalemates, Nigeria will robotically be group leaders earlier than the ultimate two video games.
Now, their future will probably be of their arms sitting atop the group with at the least a two-point benefit.
Victory away to Lesotho will arrange an fascinating conflict dwelling conflict in opposition to Benin. And with the house crowd certainly popping out of their numbers to cheer the Tremendous Eagles on to soar excessive, that computerized World Cup qualification spot ought to be a completed deal.
Too many prayers. However that’s the one manner they will mathematically join the world in North America.
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In case they slip within the course of and find yourself as Group C runners-up, a play-off is on the market however that’s nonetheless a protracted shot.
