2026 World Cup Qualifiers: Super Eagles will face tough challenge, says Bafana coach

With the conclusion of the 2025 AFCON qualifiers, the Super Eagles of Nigeria now turn their attention to the daunting task of securing a place in the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

However, their path is fraught with challenges both on and off the pitch.

In the World Cup qualifying Group, Nigeria sits in a precarious fifth place with only three points, trailing group leaders Rwanda by four points.

The group standings are tight, with Rwanda (7 points, +2 goal difference), South Africa (7 points, +1), and Benin (7 points, 0 goal difference) occupying the top three spots. Lesotho follows with six points, while Zimbabwe languishes at the bottom.

With six matches remaining, Nigeria must win all their games and hope for results elsewhere to disrupt South Africa’s campaign.

The qualifiers resume in March 2025, with Nigeria facing Rwanda away, a team that handed the Super Eagles their first defeat in the closing stages of the AFCON qualifiers.

Interim coach Austin Eguavoen has dismissed concerns over the loss, assuring fans that the result will not impact their World Cup qualifying performance.

Off the pitch, the situation remains uncertain. The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has yet to appoint a substantive coach for the team.

While Eguavoen, who secured Nigeria’s AFCON ticket in his interim role, is set to return as the NFF Technical Director, many Nigerians are calling for his permanent appointment.

However, the NFF’s inclination towards hiring a foreign coach has left the matter unresolved.

With time running out, the Super Eagles face not only a demanding qualification campaign but also the need for stability and direction from their management.

As March 2025 approaches, fans will be watching closely to see if the team can overcome these hurdles and revive their World Cup dreams.

The Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos is talking tough. Broos is optimistic about his side’s chances of securing the 2026 World Cup ticket ahead of Nigeria and other contenders in Group C.

Meanwhile, Broos, whose side topped Group K in the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers for Morocco 2025, believes South Africa’s recent form gives them the edge.

Reflecting on their progress, he remarked: “It doesn’t mean that we have to now think that we are where we have to be. No. But little by little we are becoming a very good team.”

He continued: “That will give us the confidence that we need for the next thing we have to do, which is qualify for the World Cup.

“But I’m confident that we can do it. I think, if SA can qualify for the World Cup it is now because we have quality; we have a good team. We can do it. But we still have to do it.”

South Africa’s Bafana have not lost a match since their semifinal exit against Nigeria at the Cote d’Ivoire 2023 AFCON.

In their last World Cup qualifier, they drew 1-1 with Nigeria in Uyo, a game where they nearly claimed all three points.

Broos plans to capitalise on South Africa’s AFCON momentum to navigate the World Cup qualifiers.

The coach expects to collect maximum points in their next matches against Lesotho and Zimbabwe, believing this will secure their ticket.