African playoff awaits Super Eagles after group stage success

By Tosin Omojola –

While Nigerians can breathe a sigh of relief that the hope of a place in the 2026 FIFA World Cup is still alive, a long and challenging journey still lies ahead for the Super Eagles.

Eric Sekou Chelles and his lads lived up to expectations, walloping Benin Republic 4-0 to secure a place in the African playoff on the final day of the marathon qualifiers.

With South Africa claiming Group C’s automatic ticket after defeating Rwanda 3-0, Nigeria, aided by favourable results from other group matches, successfully booked a ticket for the playoff.

Between November 13 and 16, in the North African country of Morocco, the Super Eagles will join Cameroon, Gabon, and either Burkina Faso or DR Congo for the playoff, which will be played in a semi-final and final format, with the eventual winner advancing.

However, even if the Eagles win the African playoff, Nigerians will still have to wait, as another playoff involving countries from other continents will be held to determine the remaining two slots for the Mundial, to be staged in Mexico, the USA, and Canada.

The winner in Morocco will proceed to the Six-Team Intercontinental Playoff, scheduled for the Mexican cities of Guadalajara and Monterrey in March next year, where two teams will emerge to qualify for the World Cup finals.

The winner from the African playoff will be joined by Bolivia, New Caledonia, two teams from Central America, and one from Asia.