Two crucial 2026 World Cup qualifying matches in Group C are scheduled for this Friday, starting at 5 p.m. Nigeria will face Lesotho, while South Africa will clash with Zimbabwe. The Super Eagles are currently third in the group with 11 points, trailing Benin Republic and South Africa. To keep their qualification hopes alive, they must defeat Lesotho—a side that previously shocked them at home. The pressure is on Nigeria; only a win will suffice.
South Africa’s Bafana Bafana, despite a three‑point FIFA deduction, will aim to claim the group’s sole ticket by beating Zimbabwe and regaining the top spot. The starting line‑ups have been announced. Zimbabwe’s XI consists of Arubi; Hadebe, Garananga, Takwara, Zemura; Lunga, Nakamba, Munetsi; Billiat, Musona, Chirewa. South Africa’s XI features Williams; Mudau, Mbokazi, Sibisi, Modiba; Mokoena, Sithole, Mbule, Nkota, Appollis, Foster. In the Nigeria‑Lesotho match, Lesotho line‑up includes Moerane, Mkwanazi, Makhele, Matlabe, Malane, Matsau, Toloane, Rapuleng, Mokokoane, Ts’otleho, Motebang, while Nigeria fields Nwabali, Onyemaechi, Bassey, Troost‑Ekong, Ndidi, Iwobi, Godwin, Simon, Lookman, Arokodare, Osimhen.
As the first half progresses, neither match has produced a goal. The scorelines stand at Lesotho 0‑0 Nigeria and Zimbabwe 0‑0 South Africa, while the other group fixture, Benin versus Rwanda, is also goalless at 0‑0. The teams head into the halftime break to regroup and adjust their strategies for the second half. These matches are vital for the contenders, as the results will significantly affect the group standings and the overall qualification process for the 2026 World Cup.
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