The Super Eagles of Nigeria are under increased pressure to get all three points in Saturday’s World Cup qualification match against Rwanda after South Africa’s dominant 3-0 humbling of Lesotho on Friday, Footynaija.com reports.
Bafana Bafana, who went into the game against Lesotho sitting top of Group C with 13 points to their name, further boosted their chances of booking a spot at the 2026 FIFA World Cup with a comprehensive win over their East African counterparts.
Goals from Nahou Nkota, Lyle Forster and Oswin Appollis lit up the Free State Toyota Stadium in Bloemfontein and propelled South Africa into a temporary nine points lead over Nigeria in Group C.
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Nkota opened the scoring just 15 minutes in, darting onto a precise cross from Aubrey Modiba and slotting past Sekhoane Moerane in Lesotho’s goal-post.
In the 63rd minute, Foster doubled the advantage, reacting quickest to tap home after Moerane spilled a powerful drive from Modiba.
Not to be left out, Appollis capped off the victory with a cool finish inside the box, punishing a moment of slack defending from Lesotho.
Eric Chelle’s Super Eagles must respond with a victory of their own when they welcome the Amavubi of Rwanda to the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo on Saturday.
Triumph over Rwanda will see Nigeria move up to third place with 10 points and reduce their deficit at the summit of Group C back to six points, setting things up for a high stakes clash with Bafana Bafana on Tuesday, September 9.
Elsewhere in Group C, former Super Eagles boss Gernot Rohr guided Benin Republic to a 1-0 win over Zimbabwe to stay within five points of South Africa.
