What Nigeria and South Africa need to qualify for World Cup in exciting finale tonight | OneFootball

Super Eagles face a must-win match at home to Group C leaders Benin while Bafana Bafana host Rwanda on pivotal evening

The African section of qualification for next summer’s World Cup has entered its final stages with Nigeria, South Africa and Benin all battling for supremacy in Group C.

Bafana Bafana’s punishment for fielding an ineligible player against Lesotho means there is still work to do to in order to seal automatic qualification.

As it stands, any of the three aforementioned nations can top Group C after Nigeria beat Lesotho and Benin consolidated their place at the top with a win over Rwanda on Friday, while South Africa were held by Zimbabwe.

An exciting final day is in store and below, Standard Sport runs through the permutations for Nigeria and South Africa as they bid to pip Benin to top spot.

Nigeria

Nigeria’s task is a little more complicated in comparison to the other two teams in the group. While victory over Benin in Uyo is vital, they need to do so via a comfortable margin and hope that South Africa fail to beat Rwanda in Mbombela.

Currently third in the group, if the Super Eagles claim a win over Benin then the two nations will be locked on 17 points, so goal difference will be required to separate them.

As a result, Nigeria (+3GD) must win by a two-goal margin to leapfrog Benin (+5GD), whether that be for first or second place.

Simply put, Eric Chelle’s side need to score at least twice on Tuesday. For example, a 2-0, 3-1 or 4-2 win is the required result and that coupled with a favour from Rwanda would confirm top spot for the Super Eagles.

Akor Adams scored against Lesotho to help keep Nigeria’s World Cup qualification hopes alive

AFP via Getty Images

Where things get interesting is a 1-0 win for Nigeria would leave them and Benin with identical records for points, goals scored, goals conceded and goal difference.

FIFA would then need to refer to their established criteria to separate teams in the event that they finish with identical records. The away goal that Nigeria scored in their 2-1 loss in Benin last summer could prove decisive in the head-to-head record between the two sides.

Benin will have the advantage if they score at least two goals in a potential loss. However, a 2-1 win for Nigeria would set up the prospect of fair play points being used as the criteria.

A defeat for Nigeria ends their hopes of qualification, while a draw would only be enough for second if South Africa lose to Rwanda.

That said, 15 points should be enough to be one of the four best second-placed finishers who will enter a play-off to determine who will be Africa’s sole representative in the wider inter-confederation play-offs, which take place in March.

Only the nine group winners in CAF qualifying advance directly to next summer’s World Cup finals in Canada, Mexico and the United States.

South Africa

For South Africa, the task is simple. Beat Rwanda and they’ll be guaranteed a top-two finish regardless of what happens in the Nigeria vs Benin fixture.

Now, should Benin lose or draw then a win for Bafana Bafana by at least two clear goals will see them qualify automatically for the World Cup as group winners.

There is even a scenario where South Africa can lose and still finish second if Nigeria are beaten at home by Benin. This should be enough to claim one of the four best runners-up spots in the Africa qualification section.

A draw would rule out the prospect of finishing top but that coupled with a win for Nigeria would see Hugo Broos’ side miss out on potential qualification altogether.