Nigeria’s 2-1 win over Lesotho on Friday, ensured they’re in a three-horse race to qualify for the 2026 World Cup, from Group C of the African zone.
A horrible run within the qualifying collection, noticed the Tremendous Eagles not solely must win their final two fixtures, but additionally pray and permutate.
The primary ray of hope got here with FIFA deducting three factors from South Africa, for fielding an ineligible participant in opposition to Lesotho in March.
The world soccer governing physique additionally deducted three objectives from Bafana Bafana, a choice that noticed them drop into second place behind Benin Republic on purpose distinction.
Coincidentally, the second ray of hope additionally got here from South Africa. Their 0-0 draw with Zimbabwe on Friday, offers Nigeria confidence they might nonetheless play in subsequent yr’s match.
It was, not nevertheless, a clean victory for Eric Chelle’s males. Having dominated the primary half with out scoring, they have been awarded a penalty after the break and captain William Troost-Ekong stepped as much as put it away confidently.
Sevilla striker, Akor Adams, doubled the Eagles’ benefit with a well-taken purpose.
Impulsively, there was jeopardy. Goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali fumbled the ball in his space and Hlompho Kalake had the straightforward activity of lifting the ball into an empty web.
Lesotho nearly received a second with the final kick of the sport after one other Nwabali error. However the ball trickled previous the publish.
“We did what we needed to do at the moment, win,” JJ Omojuwa, a Nigerian writer and writer, tells DAILY POST.
“It was not pleasing on the attention. We shouldn’t be the place we at the moment are however at the moment’s recreation had a mission and that was to get the three factors.
“In that sense, job carried out.”
There have been lots of blended opinions about Chelle’s tactical selections. The Malian opted to start out each Victor Osimhen and Tolu Arokodare up entrance, with what regarded like a again three at occasions.
“I believe he switched issues up at the moment by enjoying two in entrance,” Omojuwa explains.
“However we nonetheless aren’t enjoying effectively, even in opposition to a soccer minnow.
“General, if we had averaged his factors earlier than he got here, we’d be in a greater place now.
“The gamers did what they needed to. They only must do it once more in opposition to Benin after which we pray for Rwanda to get one thing in South Africa. Robust ask each,” he added.
That is the place we deliver out the calculators.
Nigeria should beat Benin Republic by at the very least two objectives after they meet subsequent Tuesday.
It is because Gernor Rohr’s males lead on purpose distinction with 5 objectives, whereas Nigeria and South Africa are each on three objectives.
The Tremendous Eagles will even want some assist. South Africa should both lose or draw in opposition to Rwanda of their final match.
If South Africa wins, Nigeria’s probabilities of qualifying mechanically could be very slim.
Solely the group winners safe direct qualification to the World Cup, whereas the 4 finest runners-up go to the play-offs. This implies each purpose and level is now essential.
“I believe we are going to do it,” Omojuwa says.
“However our future isn’t utterly in our fingers. South Africa will fancy themselves at house in opposition to Rwanda.”
Rohr was the top coach of the Tremendous Eagles till December 2021. He was sacked regardless of qualifying for the 2021 African Cup of Nations and the ultimate spherical of qualifying for the World Cup playoffs.
It may very well be revenge served chilly if he leaves Uyo with Benin’s first ever World Cup ticket.
Omojuwa provides: “That’s a probable situation and he’d have had the final giggle actually.
“As a result of he had a good file as our coach, usually qualifying for tournaments with video games to spare, even in tough teams.”
