2026 World Cup Qualifiers: South Africa Thrash Lesotho as Nigeria’s Hopes Grow Dim

Nigeria’s chances of securing a spot at the 2026 FIFA World Cup are slipping further away after South Africa’s dominant 3-0 win over Lesotho on Friday in Bloemfontein.

Bafana Bafana, who started the day top of the group, tightened their grip on first place thanks to goals from Mohau Nkota (15’), Lyle Foster (63’), and Oswin Appollis (67’). The win was not just comfortable, but also a statement of intent from Hugo Broos’ men, who are now looking like the team to beat in the group.

The victory lifts South Africa to 16 points from seven matches, five clear of Benin Republic in second on 11 points. Rwanda sit third with eight points, while Nigeria remain in fourth with seven points, ahead of their must-win clash against Rwanda on Saturday.

Opinion: Nigeria Running Out of Road

For the Super Eagles, the table makes for grim reading. Once feared as Africa’s most consistent World Cup campaigners, Nigeria now find themselves chasing shadows in a group where South Africa have shown consistency and hunger.

The problem for Nigeria has not been talent but lack of cohesion and urgency. With attacking stars scattered across Europe’s top leagues, one would expect dominance in qualifiers. Instead, the Eagles have been plagued by missed chances, defensive lapses, and a worrying inability to kill off games.

Saturday’s clash against Rwanda has now taken on the feel of a do-or-die battle. A win could breathe life into their campaign, but anything less would all but confirm that the road to Canada, Mexico, and the USA 2026 may not have space for the green and white.

For fans, this is heartbreaking. Nigeria is not just another footballing nation—its absence on the world’s biggest stage would leave a void in African representation. The Super Eagles must rise, and they must do it now.