As Nigeria prepare to take on Zimbabwe in Uyo on Tuesday, Super Eagles fans will have more than one eye on another crucial fixture in Group C — Benin vs South Africa.
On paper, it’s just another World Cup qualifier, but for Nigeria, this match could shape their entire qualification campaign.
After a shaky start to their qualifiers, the Super Eagles finally picked up their first win, beating Rwanda 2-0 on Friday.
Meanwhile, South Africa’s 2-0 victory over Lesotho and Benin’s 2-2 draw with Zimbabwe dramatically changed the dynamics of the group. South Africa now sit on top with 10 points, Benin are second with eight, Rwanda trail with seven, while Nigeria, climbing from near the bottom, now have six.
With only the group winners earning an automatic ticket to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, every game matters. And while Nigeria will want a victory against Zimbabwe, they also need the right result in Benin vs South Africa.
So, who should Nigeria be rooting for?
Benin’s win is Nigeria’s best-case scenario
From a Nigerian perspective, the preferred outcome is simple: a Benin victory. Why? Because that would throw the group wide open and give Nigeria a much-needed lifeline.
If Benin beat South Africa, the Cheetahs will jump to the top of Group C with 11 points, leaving South Africa stuck on 10. That result, coupled with a Nigerian win against Zimbabwe, would close the gap between the Super Eagles and South Africa to just one point.
