World Cup
No Room for Error as Nigeria Fight for World Cup Lifeline
By KUNLE SOLAJA.
The race for the 2026 World Cup takes another dramatic turn this Saturday when Nigeria’s Super Eagles host Rwanda’s Amavubi at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo. For Nigeria, the stakes could not be higher.
After a stuttering start to their qualifying campaign, which left them stranded in mid-table, victory has now become non-negotiable.
Anything less than three points could push the three-time African champions further away from the summit of Group C.
Rwanda, on the other hand, arrive with quiet confidence. Their solidity at the back has made them stubborn opponents, and they have often frustrated supposedly bigger teams with their discipline and organisation.
If scoring goals remains their Achilles heel, their resilience more than makes up for it, keeping them firmly in the qualification conversation.
Nigeria will look to their star man, Victor Osimhen, to tilt the balance. The former Napoli striker, fresh from injury recovery earlier in the campaign, remains the Super Eagles’ most reliable weapon, capable of turning tight contests with his pace, power, and eye for goal.
Supporting him will be the creative Alex Iwobi and the in-form Ademola Lookman, as coach Eric Chelle seeks to spark life into a side whose campaign has yet to fully ignite.
The head-to-head record leans Nigeria’s way, with three wins in eight meetings. Their last encounter in March ended 2–0 in favour of the Eagles, Osimhen striking twice to secure a vital win.
Yet Rwanda, a point ahead of the Super Eagles on the log, will take heart from their recent consistency and the knowledge that Nigeria’s struggles have made them vulnerable.
Saturday’s clash promises a battle of contrasts: Nigeria’s attacking ambition against Rwanda’s defensive steel.
It is more than just a qualifier; it is a statement game. For Nigeria, it is a chance to reassert their pedigree and keep their World Cup hopes alive.
A loss ends their ambition to the 2026 World Cup. For Rwanda, it is an opportunity to prove that their rise is no fluke.
One thing is certain: when the whistle blows in Uyo, the margins will be fine, the pressure immense, and the consequences far-reaching.
A win will take Nigeria to the third position, just a point behind the current runners-up, Benin. It will raise their spirits ahead of their most challenging opponents, South Africa that they will face on Tuesday.
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Nigeria’s Super Eagles on Saturday reignited their hopes of reaching the 2026 FIFA World Cup after a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Rwanda at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo.
The decisive moment came in the 51st minute when forward Tolu Arokodare pounced on a loose ball inside the box and calmly slotted past Rwanda’s goalkeeper to hand Nigeria all three points.
Both sides had approached the first half with caution, resulting in few clear-cut chances. Nigeria’s backline, well-organised under the leadership of Calvin Bassey, resisted Rwanda’s attempts to break through, particularly after the visitors tweaked their approach following the interval.
The win, however, did not come without concern for the hosts. Star striker Victor Osimhen limped off before halftime, forcing coach Eric Chelle to introduce Cyril Dessers. Despite the setback, the Eagles pressed on and showed resilience to secure the narrow but crucial result.
With the victory, Nigeria boosted their position in the Group C standings and kept their qualification hopes firmly alive as the race for the 2026 World Cup intensifies.
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-“This time, the trophy is our dream.”
By KUNLE SOLAJA, Complexe Sportif Prince Moulay Abdellah in Rabat
While many African teams are still entangled in the arithmetic of World Cup qualification, Morocco – the first on the continent to book a spot at the 2026 finals – have already set their sights higher.
Before demolishing Niger Republic 5-0 on Friday night at the newly remodelled Complexe Sportif Prince Moulay Abdellah in Rabat, the message from the stands was clear. A massive banner stretched across a section of the stadium declaring: “This time, the trophy is our dream.”
At 2026 World Cup, Morocco will will be unbreakable, unstoppable and not afraid of any team – The Atlas Lions have warned!
Above the inscription was another giant display: the iconic Atlas Lion, Morocco’s national team symbol, clutching the World Cup trophy.
With world-class organisation, huge investments in infrastructure, and a deliberate strategy in human capital development, Morocco have every reason to dream big.
After all, their World Cup journey has always been about breaking barriers for Africa.
In 1970, Morocco became the first African side to score a goal at the World Cup when Mohammed Houmane Jari struck against West Germany in Mexico.
Just days later, they earned Africa’s first-ever World Cup point with a 1-1 draw against Bulgaria – also in Mexico, which will again co-host the 2026 edition.
At Mexico ’86, sixteen years later, Morocco stunned the world. They became the first African team to top a World Cup group. They beat a power-packed Group F that comprised England, Portugal, and Poland.
They came very close to shocking West Germany in the Round of 16. However, a late strike by Lothar Matthäus ended their run.
Coincidentally, Ezzaki Badou is the coach of Niger Republic in Friday’s match. He was the captain and goalkeeper for Morocco at the Mexico ’86 World Cup.
In France ’98, Said Belqola made history as the first and only African referee to officiate a World Cup final.
And in Qatar 2022, the Atlas Lions went further than any African or Arab nation had ever gone, reaching the semi-finals and captivating the world.
Now, the ambition has grown bolder. Another banner unveiled in front of the grandstand on Friday night carried a chilling warning to rivals: “UNBREAKABLE; UNSTOPPABLE; UNAFRAID.”
The world has been warned! The Atlas Lions are not just going to the 2026 World Cup. They are going there to roar.
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FIFA President Gianni Infantino has congratulated Morocco following their qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The world football chief sent his message through a video post on his Instagram page on Friday, praising the Atlas Lions for their historic achievement.
In French, Infantino said: “What an exceptional performance! Congratulations to Morocco, which has qualified for the World Cup for the seventh time in its history. This is a particularly important moment for Moroccan football, as we approach the centenary of the 2030 World Cup, which this magnificent country will host.”
With their place at the 2026 finals now confirmed, Morocco are assured of back-to-back appearances on the global stage. They are also guaranteed a record eighth participation as one of the co-hosts of the centenary 2030 World Cup.
Watch the FIFA President’s message here
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