Two crucial 2026 World Cup qualifying matches in Group C are scheduled to take place this Friday, starting from 5pm. Nigeria will face Lesotho, while South Africa will clash with Zimbabwe.

Nigeria’s Super Eagles are currently in third place with 11 points, behind Benin Republic and South Africa. To keep their qualification hopes alive, they must secure a win against Lesotho, a team that previously shocked them at home. The Super Eagles are under pressure, and only a victory will suffice.

In the other match, South Africa’s Bafana Bafana will aim to claim the sole ticket in the group, despite being deducted three points by FIFA. They will face rivals Zimbabwe, seeking to regain their position at the top of the table.

The starting lineups for the matches have been announced. For the South Africa-Zimbabwe match, Zimbabwe’s XI consists of Arubi; Hadebe, Garananga, Takwara, Zemura; Lunga, Nakamba, Munetsi; Billiat, Musona, Chirewa, while South Africa’s XI features Williams; Mudau, Mbokazi, Sibisi, Modiba; Mokoena, Sithole, Mbule, Nkota, Appollis, Foster.

In the Nigeria-Lesotho match, Lesotho’s XI includes Moerane, Mkwanazi, Makhele, Matlabe, Malane, Matsau, Toloane, Rapuleng, Mokokoane, Ts’otleho, Motebang, and Nigeria’s XI comprises Nwabali, Onyemaechi, Bassey, Troost-Ekong, Ndidi, Iwobi, Godwin, Simon, Lookman, Arokodare, Osimhen.

As the first half of both matches gets underway, neither team has managed to score. The current scorelines are Lesotho 0-0 Nigeria and Zimbabwe 0-0 South Africa. Another match in the group, Benin versus Rwanda, is also goalless at 0-0. The teams will head into the half-time break, looking to regroup and strategy for the second half.

These matches hold significant importance for the teams involved, as they strive to secure their spots in the 2026 World Cup. The outcomes of these matches will have a substantial impact on the group standings and the overall qualification process.