Nigeria’s Super Eagles have dropped to eighth place in the ranking for the second-best loser spot in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers. This follows a 1-1 draw against South Africa on Tuesday evening, with William Troost-Ekong’s own goal and Calvin Bassey’s header resulting in a shared points outcome in Bloemfontein.

The draw leaves Nigeria in second place in Group C with 11 points, trailing leaders South Africa by six points. In the second-best loser ranking, Gabon currently occupies the top spot with 18 points from seven matches. Madagascar, DR Congo, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Namibia, and Uganda follow, all with 16 or 15 points from eight matches.

Nigeria’s 11 points from eight matches place them eighth, narrowly ahead of Tanzania, who have 10 points from eight matches. The top four teams in the second-best loser ranking will compete in a play-off for a single World Cup slot. With only a limited number of teams advancing to the play-off, Nigeria’s current position makes their path to the World Cup increasingly challenging.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers feature a competitive field, with multiple teams vying for a limited number of spots. Nigeria’s performance in the remaining qualifying matches will be crucial in determining their chances of advancing to the play-off. As the qualifying process continues to unfold, the Super Eagles will need to secure strong results to improve their ranking and remain in contention for a World Cup berth.

The current standings reflect the intense competition among African teams, with several nations still in the running for a spot in the prestigious tournament. As the qualifying matches progress, the situation is likely to remain fluid, with teams jostling for position and seeking to improve their chances of advancing to the World Cup. Nigeria’s next matches will be closely watched, as the team seeks to regain momentum and enhance its prospects of securing a coveted spot in the tournament.