When Nigeria national football team, better known as the Super Eagles, edged past Lesotho 2-1 on Monday, October 10, 2025, the Group C race for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers tilted in their favour. At the same time, Zimbabwe national football team held South Africa national football team (Bafana Bafana) to a goalless draw, leaving the South Africans scrambling for points.
The Lagos‑based side opened the showdown with a blistering strike from Alex Aobi, the Fulham midfielder whose "rasping drive" caught the Lesotho keeper off guard. The ball was "perfectly tucked in the corner," according to the post‑match video posted by SPORTS FILA, giving the Eagles an early 1-0 lead. Sime doubled the advantage before Lesotho clawed one back late in the second half, but a late finish from Mlo Makanaz sealed the 2-1 victory.
Statistically, Nigeria enjoyed 58% possession, completed 12 shots on target and recorded 7 crosses. Lesotho, despite the loss, posted a respectable 42% share of the ball and forced two corners.
Across the continent, the clash in Johannesburg (the exact venue was not disclosed) turned into a tactical chess match. Zimbabwe, buoyed by a recent 1-0 win over Lesotho at Peter Mokaba Stadium, set up in a compact 4‑4‑2, frustrating South Africa’s attacking intent.
Both sides finished with 0-0, but the numbers tell a story: South Africa managed 55% possession but only managed three shots on target, while Zimbabwe recorded five attempts, two of which forced the South African goalkeeper into uncomfortable saves.
"We were unlucky not to take a single point," said Lukeman, Zimbabwe’s midfielder, after the match. "Bafana Bafana will need to win their next game against Rwanda to stay alive in the race."
With the win, Nigeria climbs to 7 points, sitting atop Group C alongside Ivory Coast, who sit on 6. Lesotho remains at the bottom with a solitary point. South Africa, now on 3 points after the draw, must secure a victory over Rwanda in Mbombela on Tuesday, October 15, to keep any hope of advancing.
Here’s the current table after Matchday 3:
Because only the group winner secures a direct CAF slot for the 2026 World Cup, every point is now priceless.
South Africa’s next test against Rwanda is scheduled for 18:00 UTC in Mbombela Stadium. A win would propel them to 6 points, equalising with Ivory Coast but still trailing Nigeria on goal difference.
Nigeria, meanwhile, faces a home clash with Ivory Coast on October 22. That fixture will likely decide the group winner, as both sides are expected to field their strongest line‑ups.
Zimbabwe will look to regroup and aim for points against the under‑dog Central African Republic in the final matchday, hoping a slip by South Africa could reopen a path to the playoff round.
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) designed a two‑round qualification process for the 2026 tournament, which will be co‑hosted by Canada, Mexico and the United States. Nine direct slots are allocated to Africa, with a tenth spot available via an inter‑continental playoff.
Matchday 1 kicked off on November 15, 2023, with Nigeria drawing 1-1 against Lesotho, while South Africa held Rwanda to a 0-0 stalemate. Since then, both teams have experienced mixed fortunes, but the recent results on October 10 have sharpened the stakes dramatically.
Analysts point out that Nigeria’s resurgence hinges on the form of its European‑based midfielders, especially Aobi, who may soon attract interest from Premier League clubs. Conversely, South Africa’s struggle has been linked to defensive lapses and a lack of clinical finishers, a problem that coach Hugo Broos has vowed to address before the Rwanda encounter.
Overall, the CAF qualifiers have produced 30 matches so far, yielding 78 goals – an average of 2.6 per game – underscoring the attacking flair that African football is renowned for.
The 2-1 victory lifts Nigeria to seven points, placing them at the top of Group C. With only the group winner earning a direct CAF slot, the win puts them in a strong position ahead of the decisive clash with Ivory Coast.
Bafana Bafana need a win against Rwanda on October 15 in Mbombela. A victory would bring them level on points with Ivory Coast, but they must also hope Nigeria drops points in their upcoming match.
Alex Aobi’s opening goal and Mlo Makanaz’s late clincher were decisive. Sime also contributed a crucial second‑half strike that gave the Eagles a two‑goal cushion.
Zimbabwe adopted a disciplined defensive shape that blunted South Africa’s attacking moves. Both sides created chances, but solid goalkeeping and a lack of finishing kept the scoreline at 0‑0.
The pivotal encounter is Nigeria versus Ivory Coast on October 22, 2025. A win for either side is likely to clinch the group and the direct World Cup slot.
Tanvi Shrivastav
October 14, 2025 AT 00:08Oh great, another nail‑in‑the‑coffin for African football drama 🙄