In an unexpected twist in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, Lesotho, currently ranked 149th globally, has emerged as the leader of Group C. This surprising development came after Lesotho defeated Zimbabwe 2-0 on Friday, June 7. This victory positioned them at the top of a group that includes football giants such as Nigeria and South Africa.
The spotlight intensified on Lesotho after Nigeria and South Africa concluded their match in a 1-1 draw later that day in Uyo, Akwa Ibom state. This result left Nigeria in a precarious position, placing them fifth in the group standings. With only three points from three games, the Super Eagles now face an uphill battle in their quest for a spot in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, scheduled to take place across the USA, Canada, and Mexico.
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As it stands, Lesotho leads the group with five points, while Rwanda, Benin, and South Africa each have four points. Nigeria lags behind with three points, and Zimbabwe remains at the bottom with just two points.
Looking ahead, the Super Eagles are set to face the Republic of Benin away on Monday, June 10, 2024. This match is significant as it marks a reunion with Gernot Rohr, the former Nigerian coach who managed the team from 2016 to 2021.
Group C is proving to be highly competitive. The winner secures direct qualification to the World Cup, while the runner-up may still have a chance to join the inter-confederation playoffs through a playoff.
As the qualifiers progress, the Super Eagles must recalibrate and refocus to live up to their historical performances in previous World Cups, which saw them participating in 1994, 1998, 2002, 2010, 2014, and 2018. Their next actions on the pitch will be crucial in determining whether they can turn their fortunes around in this challenging group.
