By Victor Kanayo
At the moment, African loving soccer nations are jostling for points in the ongoing 2026 World Cup qualifiers within the continent.
So far, the results have been both dramatic and stunning.
Minnows are proving tough for the continental football giants to handle in all ramifications as teams compete in the third and fourth rounds of the qualifiers ahead of the World Cup to be hosted by United States, Mexico, and Canada.
For the first time in history, the global showdown will feature 48 teams, including nine from Africa, with a possibility for a 10th African team to qualify through the intercontinental playoff.
For the third and fourth round of qualifiers within the next couple of days, eight crucial games will be decided among 16 teams.
Super Eagles Make Or Mar Battle Versus Bafana Bafana
In group C, the situation is already looking dicey after Benin Republic now coached by former Super Eagles manager Gernot shocked Rwanda to win their matchday three outing 1-0 on Thursday.
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The outcome of that encounter forced Nigeria to drop from third to fourth position in the group with Rwanda and Benin at summit place. South Africa are in third.
Rwanda’s failure to get something out of the game is, however, a blessing in disguise for the Eagles, who must beat South Africa in Uyo on Friday night to take full advantage of the result.
A win for Nigeria against Bafana Bafana will take them to the top of the table with five points, one point ahead of Rwanda, who have been at the top with four points since beating South Africa in their second game of the series.
As expectations heighten by the minute, the country’s senior men national team have no reason to falter even as they have lost only one competitive game at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium since it was commissioned 10 years ago.
Incidentally, that one competitive loss was to the Bafana (0-2 defeat at the start of the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations) June 10, 2017, but the Eagles rallied in the campaign and eventually finished ahead of the Bafana to qualify for the finals in Egypt, where they also defeated the Bafana in the quarter-final on the way to a third-place finish.
On the other hand, the Bafana may also count as triumph their 2-2 draw with the Eagles at the same venue on November 19, 2014, which prevented Nigeria from qualifying for the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations.
During 2023 Nations Cup, both sides met and settled their score at draw before Nigeria surged on to the final after penalty shootout.
Down Memory Lane
Both sides also missed out on 2022 World Cup.
Nigeria ranked 30 in the world, is expected to win the Friday match which kicks off 8pm.
The team appeared at the world cup sixtimes and was always stopped in the round of 16 in 1994, 1998 and 2014. Appeared 20 times at AFCON and were champions in 1980, 1994 and 2013. Appeared at the Nations Cup three times and were Runners-up 2018.
South Africa ranked 59 in the world had three world cup appearances being stopped each time at the group stages in 1998, 2002 and 2010. Appeared 11 times at AFCON and won it only at the first time out in 1996 when Nelson Mandela was President. They had two appearances at Nation’s cup despite their high league organisation and made quarterfinal in 2011.
Next In The Fourth Round Fixtures
Nigeria will meet Republic of Benin on Tuesday while South Africa will play neighbors Zimbabwe at the Free State Stadium in Bloemfonteiro same day.
Third Round Ready-Made Results Across Africa
Already, results have been trickling in after some third round matches were decided, with others yet to take place.
Late Thursday night, five fierce on the pitch banter ensued across the continent, with Guinea causing a major upset against Algeria in Algiers, as Ghana came from behind to edge Mali in a closely contested tie in Bamako.
Senegal looked to have secured all three points at home before DR Congo disappointed the former African champions with a late equaliser, while Egypt overcame Burkina Faso thanks to a brace by Mahmoud Trézéguet, as they extend their lead in Group A of the qualifiers.
In Algiers, Guinea put their FIFA World Cup ambitions back on track in style with a vital 2-1 away win at the Nelson Mandela Stadium against Algeria.
Mortaye Sylla’s 50th minute goal alongside Aguibou Camara’s 63rd minute strike was enough for the Guineas to stun the former African champions in their own backyard.
In Bamako, Jordan Ayew was the hero of the evening for the Black Stars, as his goal in referee’s additional time saw Ghana produce an impressive come back to haul maximum points away from home against Mali in Bamako.
Kamory Doumbia’s 58th minute strike looked to have given Mali the win but an Ernest Nuamah’s leveller, as well as Ayew’s late winner saw the Black Stars secure a vital win on the road.
Elsewhere, Sudan and Libya secured vital wins while Guinea Bissau settled for a goalless draw against Ethiopia.
Perhaps, the biggest result so far was in Group B where coach Kwesi Appiah’s Sudan claimed a convincing 2-0 victory over Mauritania in Nouakchott.
Saifeldin Bakhit opened the scoring for the visitors in the 15th minute, giving Sudan an early lead.
Mauritania’s hopes of a comeback were dashed when Aly Abeid inadvertently scored an own goal in the 29th minute, doubling Sudan’s advantage.
The win propels Sudan to the top of Group B with seven points, three more than second-placed Senegal.
The upcoming match between Cameroon and Cape Verde in Group D on Saturday will provide further clarity on the group’s standings.
