“Forget Any Playoff”: Journalist Explains Nigeria’s Slim Chances of Qualifying for World Cup
- Nigeria will face Rwanda and South Africa in their 2026 CAF Qualification Group C matches
- The Super Eagles are on the verge of missing their second consecutive World Cup appearances as they sit in fourth place
- A football journalist has brought out his calculator to explain the reasons why Nigeria needs to top their group
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23 Super Eagles players are currently in Uyo, Akwa Ibom state, training ahead of their must-win encounter.
The three-time AFCON winners will take on the Amavubi of Rwanda in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium on Saturday, September 6.
The Rwanda national team has also settled, after landing in the Land of Promise on Wednesday afternoon, with four of their key players absent, per Sporting Life.
Source: Getty Images
Football analyst shares Super Eagles' fate
A football pundit, Fisayo Dairo, said the chances of Nigeria making it to the 2026 FIFA World Cup are very slim.
Speaking in an exclusive comment with Legit.ng, Dairo explained that the Super Eagles are currently in a dilemma, and finishing second place in the CAF Qualification Group C doesn't guarantee the team a slot at the play-offs.
He also posted the mathematics on X, see below:
The NPFL specialist noted that nine teams are currently in the race to secure the four available slots for the play-offs after nine teams have secured their World Cup tickets. He said:
"A lot of football fans still believe Nigeria can qualify for the World Cup; they believe we can finish second place in our group.
"Automatically, the first place in the nine group qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, but the best second-placed teams in four groups in terms of points will participate in the play-off. The winner of the play-offs will represent Africa in an intercontinental play-offs (teams from Asia, CONCACAF, etc).
"We cannot have enough points as a second-place team to meet the other top four teams because even Rwanda, who are second place in our group with eight points, is last of all nine groups.
"Gabon have 18 points already and they have three more gams to go. We have seven points with four more games left. Even if we win the remaining four games, that is just 19 points."
Source: Getty Images
Teams topping the various Groups
In Group A, Egypt are topping with 16 points, while Burkina Faso is second with 11 points.
DR Congo is sitting on top of the log with 13 points, closely followed by Senegal and Sudan with 12 points each in second and third, respectively, in Group B.
In Group D, Cabo Verde are occupying the first position with 13 points, while Cameroon are second with 12 points.
Atlas of Morocco have 15 points and is currently topping the table while Tanzania are second with 9 points in Group E.
Gabon are surprisingly leading Group F with 18 points after their victory against Seychelles to have 18 points while Ivory Coast are second with 16 points.
In Group G, Algeria sit in first place with 15 points while Mozambique are in second place with 12 points.
Tunisia lead Group H with 16 points while Namibia are in second position with 12 points.
Black Stars of Ghana occupy first place with 15 points in Group I, while Comoros are in second place with 12 points, per TnTSports.
Journalist criticises NFF for scheduling blunder
Legit.ng earlier reported that Nigeria Info FM journalist Adaeze Michael has lashed out at the NFF for what she described as a scheduling blunder which could cost the Super Eagles.
The team will wrap up all activities at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium on Saturday around 8 pm local time and is expected to fly to South Africa early on Sunday, which is about a 6-8-hour flight.
Source: Legit.ng
