The Super Eagles have a chance to close the gap on Group C leaders when they take on Rwanda on Friday in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, following Benin Republic’s draw against Zimbabwe on Wednesday.
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Benin surrendered a two-goal lead as the Warriors showed resilience, coming from behind to secure a draw.
Benin skipper Steve Mounié opened the scoring early after a goalkeeping error, before Dodo Dokou doubled the lead just before halftime.
With victory seemingly in sight, the visitors took their foot off the gas and were duly punished. England-based defender Marshall Munetsi pulled one back for Zimbabwe just before the break.
After halftime, Zimbabwean striker Knowledge Musona, making his return to international football, finished off a brilliant build-up with a one-time strike, leaving the keeper with no chance and leveling the score.
Despite the draw, Benin moved to the top of Group C with eight points, while Rwanda and South Africa are tied in second place with a game in hand.
This presents a golden opportunity for the Super Eagles, who will look to capitalize on it by defeating the Amavubi of Rwanda on Friday.
A win would take the Super Eagles to six points, narrowing the gap on Benin Republic and Rwanda—two serious contenders for the group’s sole automatic qualification spot—before facing Zimbabwe, the group’s bottom-placed team.
The Super Eagles hope to revive the 2026 FIFA World Cup hopes after a poor start in the qualifying campaign where they failed to secure a win in the four matches played in the series so far.
