With six matches played, Nigeria currently occupies fourth place in the group with seven points, while South Africa leads the table with 13 points.
The inability to secure a crucial win against Zimbabwe has placed additional pressure on the team as they attempt to secure one of Africa’s available slots for the global tournament.
Africa has been allocated nine automatic qualification spots for the 2026 World Cup. The winners of each group will qualify directly, while the four best second-placed teams from across all groups will compete for a final chance via an intercontinental playoff.
Nigeria's current position means they have significant ground to cover if they are to overtake the leaders in Group C. With only a handful of games left to play, every point will be vital in their bid to return to the world’s biggest football stage.
As it stands, the teams occupying the top spots in their respective groups and those currently positioned for the playoff include:
• Gabon – 15 points
• Cameroon – 12 points
• Senegal – 12 points
• Namibia – 12 points
• Comoros – 12 points
• Mozambique – 12 points
• Burkina Faso – 11 points
For Nigeria to improve their standing, they will need to secure victories in their remaining matches while hoping that other results work in their favor.
Nigeria’s next fixtures will be crucial in determining whether they can close the gap on their rivals. The Super Eagles must deliver strong performances and avoid further slip-ups if they are to keep their World Cup dreams alive.
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