Precious Josiah
Nigeria’s hopes to play in the 2026 FIFA World Cup are facing new challenges after Gernot Rohr’s side, Benin Republic continue to shine.
Benin secured a resounding 4-0 victory over Lesotho, a team that had frustrated Nigeria to a 1-1 draw in Uyo back in 2023.
The result not only highlighted Benin’s growing momentum under Rohr but also underscored the Super Eagles’ ongoing struggles in the qualifying campaign.
The emphatic win sees Benin maintain second place in their group, just behind leaders South Africa, and three points clear of Nigeria heading into the crucial ninth round of fixtures.
Nigeria, on the other hand, face a difficult path forward, with mounting pressure on the team and coaching staff following a string of underwhelming performances.
For Rohr, who was sacked by Nigeria in 2021, the contrast in fortunes adds a personal twist to the unfolding drama.
As the qualification race intensifies, Benin’s resurgence under Rohr could prove decisive — and further compound the woes of the nation that once let him go.
.The Eagles on Tuesday managed to secure a point from their tie with the Bafana Bafana of South Africa at Bleomfontain.
The draw takes the South African side to 17 points on top of the group while Benin are second with 14 points. The Super Eagles lag behind with 11 points.
A it stands, Nigeria’s dream of securing a direct ticket to the 2026 FIFA World Cup is effectively over following the results posted by Benin.
Even the prospect of reaching the World Cup through the play-off route appears increasingly unlikely.
Under the current format, only the top team in each group qualifies automatically, while just four of the nine second-placed teams across the continent will earn a place in the inter-confederation play-offs.
Looking their standings, Benin—second in Group C—are only eighth in the overall runners-up ranking. Gabon currently lead that list with 19 points and a +10 goal difference, followed by Madagascar and DR Congo with 16 points each.
Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Namibia, and Uganda all sit closely behind with 15 points apiece.
Pundits reason that if Nigeria manage to win their remaining two fixtures and finish second in the group, they would end the campaign with 17 points—still short of Gabon’s current tally and likely not enough to break into the top four among the runners-up, especially as other teams are also expected to pick up more points in the final rounds.
They also conclude that with the odds against them, Nigeria’s remaining qualifiers now serve little more than as preparation matches for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations in December.