The race to subsequent 12 months’s FIFA World Cup finals in North America will go proper all the way down to the wire after Nigeria defeated Lesotho 2-1 in Polokwane on Friday, whereas South Africa had been held to a goalless draw by Zimbabwe in Durban, and Benin Republic edged Rwanda 1-0 in Kigali.
Regardless of the outcomes, all three groups retained their positions in Group C, however the closing qualification spot stays open heading into the final spherical of matches.
Nigeria, at the moment third on 14 factors, will host table-toppers Benin Republic in Uyo on Tuesday, whereas South Africa face a troublesome take a look at towards Rwanda’s Amavubi.
Nigeria started Friday’s encounter with urgency and attacking intent. Within the twelfth minute, Tolu Arokodare noticed his header go narrowly over the bar, whereas the Lesotho goalkeeper denied him once more within the thirty third minute from an Ademola Lookman cross.
Three minutes later, Victor Osimhen’s header was saved, and simply earlier than halftime, Arokodare’s effort from a pullout missed the goal.
9 minutes into the second half, a Lesotho defender dealt with the ball within the field as Simon Moses unleashed a shot, prompting referee Mahamat Allaoui to award a penalty. Captain William Troost-Ekong stepped up and transformed confidently at hand Nigeria the lead.
The Tremendous Eagles continued to press for extra targets, coming shut by Alex Iwobi’s efforts within the 57th and 59th minutes and an Osimhen chip that hit the put up within the 62nd minute. Within the 79th minute, Osimhen’s deflected strike additionally struck the upright, however he lastly turned supplier ten minutes later, discovering debutant Jerome Akor Adams, who beat his marker earlier than firing into the web for Nigeria’s second aim.
Lesotho’s Kalake pulled one again within the 83rd minute from a nook kick, however Nigeria held agency to safe an important victory that retains their qualification hopes alive.
The outcome leaves Nigeria on 14 factors, simply behind Benin Republic and South Africa, with the whole lot to play for on Tuesday. A win towards Benin Republic in Uyo might seal Nigeria’s qualification, relying on the end result of the South Africa–Rwanda conflict in Durban.
If South Africa win, the group could possibly be determined by aim distinction or head-to-head data. Nevertheless, a draw or loss for South Africa would give Nigeria a transparent path to qualification with victory over Benin.
The ultimate spherical guarantees excessive drama as Nigeria, South Africa, and Benin Republic battle for the highest spot and a spot on the 2026 FIFA World Cup
