Nigeria's World Cup dreams are still alive, but their path to the 2026 FIFA World Cup is anything but straightforward. Despite a commanding 4-0 victory over Benin Republic, the Super Eagles missed out on automatic qualification, leaving them to fight for a playoff spot. But here's where it gets controversial... While Nigeria's performance was impressive, the result elsewhere meant they couldn't claim top spot in their group. South Africa's 3-0 win over Rwanda secured their place, leaving Nigeria to battle for one of the four best second-placed teams' spots. This means they'll now contest the CAF playoffs, a mini-tournament with two semi-finals and a final. The winner will advance to the FIFA inter-confederation playoffs, keeping their World Cup hopes alive. But it's not all smooth sailing for Nigeria. Due to Eritrea's withdrawal, their results against Zimbabwe were excluded, and their two points were deducted. Even so, they finished ahead of Burkina Faso and Niger, securing their playoff berth. With the tournament just around the corner, Nigeria will need to keep their momentum going and prove themselves in the playoffs. Will they be able to overcome the challenges ahead and secure their place on the global stage? It's a question that will have fans on the edge of their seats. And this is the part most people miss... The Super Eagles' journey to the World Cup is far from over, and their performance in the playoffs will be crucial to their success. So, will Nigeria's World Cup dreams come true, or will they fall short again? Only time will tell. But one thing's for sure: the Super Eagles will be fighting for their place, and the world will be watching.
