Expect high tension and crushing heartbreak as action resumes in Group C of the 2026 African World Cup qualifiers today. Group leaders Benin Republic face Rwanda, while second-placed South Africa and third-placed Nigeria square off against Zimbabwe and Lesotho respectively in Matchday 9.
With only two rounds of matches remaining, the race for the top spot in Group C and the sole automatic ticket is wide open. Benin currently leads the table with 14 points, edging South Africa on goal difference, while Nigeria and Rwanda are tied on 11 points each.
Benin has always been football’s quiet dreamers — passionate, proud, and perennially on the cusp of something significant. However, with just two matches left in their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign, this small West African nation finds itself on the brink of a once-unthinkable reality. For Benin, these two matches are more than just fixtures; they represent a national test of belief. The Cheetahs sit atop Group C, ahead of regional powerhouses South Africa and Nigeria.
Their rise to the top of the group was aided by a recent FIFA ruling that docked three points from South Africa for fielding an ineligible player, but Benin’s position is no fluke. Under German coach Gernot Rohr, the team has blended tactical discipline with youthful flair, most notably defeating Nigeria 2-1 on Matchday 3 of the qualifiers.
Ahead of their final matches against Rwanda and Nigeria, star striker Andreas Hountondji, whose goals, leadership, and belief have transformed the Cheetahs from hopefuls into genuine contenders for a place among the world’s elite, expressed his excitement.
“I honestly can’t wait,” he told cafonline.com with a grin, speaking about the decisive qualifiers against Rwanda and Nigeria. “To be honest, I don’t know if it’s fully dawned on me yet how close we are to actually qualifying.”
“Our next match against Rwanda is going to be pivotal. If we manage to secure the three points, we’ll be in a very strong position ahead of our final game against Nigeria.
“We have two matches to go, and if we win them both, there’s a good chance we’ll qualify directly. Our destiny is in our own hands, so we have to believe in our chances.”
While Benin’s destiny is in their own hands, Nigeria finds itself praying for other teams to falter as Eric Chelle’s squad aims to win their two matches against Lesotho and Benin to secure Group C’s sole ticket to the World Cup in North America.
The expansion of the 2026 World Cup to 48 teams has opened the door for greater African representation, bringing new hope to countries yet to experience the global spectacle. However, it appears that Africa’s top players in the past two years, such as Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman, may miss out on the global football showcase in North America unless a miracle occurs in their favour.
The duo will lead Nigeria’s charge for crucial three points when the Super Eagles face the Crocodiles of Lesotho at the New Peter Mokaba Stadium in the South African city of Polokwane on Friday evening.
This clash marks the penultimate matchday of the qualifiers, with Nigeria needing all three points and favourable outcomes in other matches to have a solid chance heading into the final matchday, when they host current group leaders Benin Republic at Uyo’s Godswill Akpabio Stadium.
With Nigeria three points behind first-placed Benin Republic and second-placed South Africa, they must go all out for victory in their remaining two games, starting with the encounter against the Crocodiles on neutral ground on Friday.
Coach Eric Chelle has been unable to call upon wing-back Olaoluwa Aina, who was injured on a poor pitch at Toyota Stadium in Bloemfontein during last month’s match against South Africa’s Bafana Bafana. Defender Bright Osayi-Samuel, midfielder Raphael Onyedika, and forward Cyriel Dessers are also unavailable due to injury.
However, Chelle welcomes back Osimhen, who missed the clash with the Bafana after suffering an injury against Rwanda in Uyo days earlier. The triumvirate that shone brightly at last year’s Africa Cup of Nations — Osimhen, Lookman, and Simon Moses — is intact for this critical challenge.
Goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali is likely to retain his place in goal, with Captain William Ekong, Calvin Bassey, Bruno Onyemaechi, Semi Ajayi, Zaidu Sanusi, and Benjamin Frederick all in line for defensive positions. Alex Iwobi, Wilfred Ndidi, Frank Onyeka, Alhassan Yusuf Abdullahi, and Christantus Uche are available for selection in midfield.
Osimhen, Lookman, and Moses will lead the attack, but Chelle also has Samuel Chukwueze, Tolu Arokodare, Terem Moffi, and Jerome Akor Adams all in good form.
