The race for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the African qualifiers is heating up, and the pressure is firmly on Nigeria’s Super Eagles.

On Friday, South Africa’s Bafana Bafana sent a strong message by cruising past Lesotho with a commanding 3-0 victory, extending their lead at the top of Group C with 16 points and a healthy +8 goal difference. Meanwhile, Benin Republic’s Squirrels edged Zimbabwe 1-0 at home, leapfrogging Rwanda into second place with 11 points.

These results leave Nigeria with little margin for error. The Super Eagles, who sit in fourth place with just seven points from six matches, are staring at a make-or-break clash against Rwanda’s Amavubi on Saturday at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo. A win is the only result that can keep their faint hopes alive before an even tougher trip to face leaders South Africa next Tuesday.

Currently, Rwanda hold third place with eight points, one ahead of Nigeria. The stakes couldn’t be higher for the three-time African champions as the road to the United States, Canada, and Mexico in 2026 grows tougher with every round.