Super Eagles of Nigeria’s World Cup qualification hopes took another blow on Friday after South Africa cruised past Lesotho with a 3-0 victory to tighten their grip on Group C of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
Bafana Bafana of South Africa got off to a bright start when Mohau Nkota fired home a fine volley in the 15th minute to put the hosts ahead.
The Crocodiles struggled to recover, and the Bafana Bafana doubled their advantage midway through the second half.
Burnley forward Lyle Foster pounced in the 63rd minute after Lesotho goalkeeper Sekhoane Moerane spilled a strike from Aubrey Modiba. Just four minutes later, Foster turned provider, setting up Oswin Appollis for the third goal to seal a convincing win.
The result means South Africa remain top of the group with 16 points from seven games, five clear of Benin, who edged Zimbabwe 1-0 thanks to a second-half header from Steve Mounie. Rwanda sit in third with eight points, while Nigeria languish in fourth place with just seven points.
South Africa last played at the World Cup when they hosted the tournament in 2010, but their current campaign is not without controversy. FIFA is yet to rule on Bafana Bafana’s administrative error in March, when midfielder Teboho Mokoena was fielded against Lesotho despite being suspended.
The pressure now shifts to Nigeria, who face Rwanda at home at 5 p.m. on Saturday, September 6, before a decisive trip to Bloemfontein to battle South Africa on Tuesday.
With only group winners guaranteed a spot at the finals in Canada, Mexico, and the United States, the Super Eagles are condemned to win all their remaining games to stand a chance of qualifying.
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