Super Eagles Get Lifeline to Qualify for 2026 FIFA World Cup After Withdrawal of Eritrea

• Nigeria are struggling to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World CUp after missing the 2022 edition in Qatar
• The Super Eagles missed out on an opportunity to move to second position in Group C following their draw against Zimbabwe and South Africa
• Nigeria’s chances of featuring in the upcoming Mundial seem to be alive with Eritrea’s creating a loophole

The Super Eagles are on the verge of missing the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the USA, Canada and Mexico.

Nigeria are currently sitting in third place with 11 points, having played eight matches in the CAF Qualification series.

Teams in Group C, including Nigeria and the Benin Republic, have been calling on the world football governing body, FIFA, to sanction leaders South Africa for fielding an ineligible player, Teboho Mokoena, against Lesotho in 2023.

How did Nigeria get to this level?

Nigeria were unimpressive during their first four matches in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.

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Former manager Jose Pesiero managed to secure two draws in two matches before the Nigeria Football Federation sacked him. His assistant Finidi George was given the mandate of handling the team but put up a woeful performance by playing a draw and losing to Benin Republic 2-1.

The NFF decided to engage former Mali coach Eric Chelle in January 2025, to handle the Super Eagles with the sole purpose of securing the 2026 World Cup ticket.

Chelle has lived up to expectations, playing four matches and securing two wins and two draws. Nigeria’s dreams of securing the second position were marred by their 1-1 draw against Zimbabwe at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium last March and their 1-1 draw against South Africa at the Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein.

The Bafana Bafana lead the CAF qualification Group C with 17 points, while Benin have 14 and the Super Eagles have 11.

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How Nigeria can qualify for the World Cup

Nigeria have to finish in second position in Group C to stand a chance of featuring in the inter-confederation playoff.

According to Owngoal, the Super Eagles can manoeuvre their way to the FIFA World Cup with the withdrawal of Eritrea in Group E.

In 2010, when Eritrea withdrew and Ethiopia were excluded, CAF’s runners-up ranking ignored results against the fourth-placed team, so comparisons were even across groups.

During the Euro 2016 qualifiers, UEFA’s rule for determining the best third-placed team was discarded in favor of the sixth-placed team in the six-team groups, so every team was compared over the same number of games.

The Eritrea Football Association withdrew the men’s team over fear that players would seek political asylum during their trips abroad, per BBC.

Former FIFA council member insist SA will be sanctioned

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Legit.ng earlier reported that Former FIFA Disciplinary Council member Raymond Hack believes South Africa could be sanctioned for fielding an ineligible player during their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Lesotho.

His comments have sparked new hope for Nigeria, who are locked in a tight Group C battle with Bafana Bafana, Rwanda, and Lesotho for the top spot.

Source: Legit.ng