Super Eagles’ World Cup Hopes Dashed As Zimbabwe Gives South Africa Unfair Advantage Over Nigeria
- Zimbabwe appears to have given South Africa an unfair advantage in the race for the 2026 FIFA World Cup ticket
- The Warriors have announced they will play their final home game against Bafana Bafana in South Africa
- This decision from Zimbabwe comes amidst public outcry from Nigeria’s media ahead of the qualifiers in October
Nigeria’s hopes to secure a ticket to the 2026 FIFA World Cup may be over after the Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) confirmed that their next home game against South Africa will take place at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban.
The announcement has intensified frustration among Nigerian fans and media, who believe the decision hands South Africa yet another advantage in an already tight qualifying group.
Source: Getty Images
In a statement released on their official website, ZIFA disclosed that the match, originally planned to be played in Botswana, had to be moved to South Africa due to scheduling issues.
After reviewing available stadiums, ZIFA chose Moses Mabhida Stadium over Orlando Stadium in South Africa, citing cost, logistics, and player safety as key factors.
This means South Africa, who were supposed to play away, will now play on home soil for a crucial qualifier, a decision that has not gone down well with many Nigerians.
Why does this affect Nigeria?
Home advantage remains one of the biggest factors in African qualifiers, as long travel routes, different playing surfaces, and hostile atmospheres can turn results in favour of the home team.
Source: Getty Images
Playing in Durban spares South Africa from all that, as instead of facing Zimbabwe in a neutral venue, Hugo Broos’ men will enjoy playing under familiar surroundings, better facilities, with a loud presence of their own supporters.
This is not the first time South Africa has benefited from such a situation during the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.
During the last round of qualifiers, Lesotho hosted their “home” game against Bafana Bafana in South Africa, which ended 3-0 in favour of the supposed away team.
The Nigerian media have constantly argued that these circumstances only work in favour of South Africa.
Can Nigeria still qualify for the World Cup?
Group C is now South Africa’s to lose as Hugo Broos’ men sit top with 17 points, while Benin trails by three points, as seen on FIFA.com.
Nigeria and Rwanda are tied on 11 points, with Lesotho and Zimbabwe well behind. With just two games left, the margin for error for the Super Eagles is gone.
The Super Eagles have struggled throughout the qualifiers, dropping points in matches they were expected to win.
Now, with South Africa gaining what many see as an unfair edge, Nigeria’s hopes rest on other teams like Zimbabwe and Benin taking points off the group leaders.
South Africa boasts of winning World Cup ticket
In a related development, Legit.ng reported that the Chief Executive of South Africa Football Association (SAFA), Lydia Monyepao, said Bafana Bafana can still qualify for the FIFA World Cup despite threats of points deduction.
The former Bayana Bayana player explained that the men's football team have shifted focus to their remaining two 2026 World Cup qualifying matches.
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Source: Legit.ng
