The road to the 2026 FIFA World Cup has taken another dramatic twist in Group C after a weekend of high-stakes football.

Nigeria kept their faint hopes alive with a narrow 1-0 victory over Rwanda, courtesy of Tolu Arokodare’s decisive strike early in the second half. The win lifted the Super Eagles to third place on 10 points, but they still trail group leaders South Africa, who remain six points ahead.

The Bafana Bafana cemented their grip at the top of the table with a dominant 3-0 win over Lesotho, extending their advantage as favorites to seal the automatic qualification spot.

Elsewhere, Benin Republic edged Zimbabwe to stay within touching distance of the top two and maintain their playoff hopes. Rwanda’s setback leaves them in fourth place, while Zimbabwe remain rooted at the bottom.

With just three matches left, the qualification race is on a knife edge. Only the group winner advances directly to the World Cup, while the runner-up could still fight through the playoffs. For Nigeria, consistency and resilience will be the defining factors in their pursuit of a return to the global stage.

✅ Key Takeaways:

Nigeria 1-0 Rwanda: Arokodare’s strike keeps Super Eagles alive.

South Africa 3-0 Lesotho: Bafana Bafana stay firmly in control.

Benin beat Zimbabwe to stay in playoff contention.

Group C standings: South Africa (16 pts), Benin (12 pts), Nigeria (10 pts), Rwanda (8 pts), Zimbabwe (4 pts).

Only the top team qualifies directly; second place could earn a playoff ticket.

Three games left — the Super Eagles must be flawless to stand a chance.