Super Eagles’ Playoff Hopes End,Only Group Victory Can Save World Cup Dream
2 min read
By Sedara Philip
Nigeria’s dream of reaching the 2026 FIFA World Cup through the intercontinental playoff route has officially ended — even before the Super Eagles play their final two qualifiers.
The three-time African champions, currently sitting on 11 points, have mathematically fallen out of contention for one of the playoff spots reserved for the best second-placed teams across the African qualifying groups.
Even if Nigeria were to win their remaining fixtures against Lesotho and Benin Republic, they would finish the campaign with 17 points — one point short of the lowest mark already achieved by the leading runners-up.
As it stands, the race for the best second-place finishers has already set a high bar.
Gabon top the chart with 19 points from eight matches,
Madagascar also boast 19 points,
while Burkina Faso and Cameroon have both accumulated 18 points.
With such tallies, Nigeria’s maximum possible 17 points will not be enough to earn a playoff berth, closing the door on that route to the United States, Canada, and Mexico 2026 finals.
This development means that winning Group C remains the only route left for the Super Eagles to qualify directly for the World Cup. However, that path is far from straightforward.
Group leaders Benin Republic and South Africa currently sit three points ahead of Nigeria, setting up a tense and decisive conclusion to the qualification series.
For the Super Eagles, every point now matters. Victories in their remaining games are non-negotiable if they are to reclaim control of their destiny and avoid missing back-to-back World Cup tournaments — an outcome that would deal a severe blow to the nation’s football pride.
The pressure is now firmly on the team and coaching staff to deliver when it matters most.
The next two fixtures will not only determine Nigeria’s qualification fate but could also shape the future direction of the country’s football leadership and planning.
For a nation with such rich football heritage, anything short of qualification would be seen as a national disappointment — and perhaps, a call for a deeper reflection on how far Nigerian football has drifted from its once-dominant position on the continent.
Sedara Philip is a Sports writer, an administrator,Journalist,and editor
