World Cup (Q): Nigeria have an outside chance to qualify – Adepoju

Former Nigerian international Mutiu Adepoju insists the Super Eagles still have mathematical chances to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The Super Eagles are currently sitting third in Group C of the African qualifiers with 11 points, three less than leaders Benin and second-placed South Africa, who have amassed 14 points apiece.

Behind Nigeria in fourth position is Rwanda, who have accumulated 11 points, the same as Nigeria, while Lesotho are fifth with nine points heading into the final group matches of the qualifiers.

‘It’s a very tight situation for the Super Eagles’

“With what I have found out recently, I think we are three points behind South Africa, with two matches to go. Benin are in the picture too,” Adepoju, who won the 1994 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) with Nigeria, told Complete Sports.

“So it’s a very tight situation for the Super Eagles, but nothing is impossible because mathematically we cannot say it’s over for Nigeria. We got to this situation, and we just have to wait till the end. I just pray and hope that we will be able to win the two matches against Lesotho and Benin and see what will happen at the end.”

He added: “The games we failed to win at home also contributed to where we are right now. I mean, if we couldn’t win our matches at home, those two points that we lost at home, if added to what we have right now, would put us ahead of South Africa and Benin.”

In the final round, Nigeria will play Lesotho at Peter Mokaba Stadium on Friday, before they wind up their matches against Benin at Godswill Akpabio International Stadium on Tuesday, October 14.