₦airaland Forum

minfelix:
wow so FIFA has already made those deductions sef, im just seeing it now…on their main group their points remain but on the playoff table all necessary deductions has been made😀
so this means Burkina faso can finish on 15pts and Madagascar has to draw or lose to mali and Nigeria has to finish on 15points🙆🏼🙆🏼…omo

That Burkinafaso win yesterday was a big blow for us. Their next match is at home to Ethiopia.
The Dr Congo is Currently winning 1-0 against Togo if they win, we are in big trouble, there next match is at home to Sudan.

There is a Glimmer of hope for Gabon as they are losing now 3-2 to Gambia. Their next match is at home to Burundi.

Honestly to sneak in at this point, we need to score a lot of goals like 4 or 5 today and score Benin like 3 goals too.

So the key matches are:

Gabon vs Burundi
Burkinafaso vs Ethiopia
Dr Congo vs Sudan.


Even with this lifeline we are still in a dicey situation, something that looked very good few weeks ago, honestly results didn’t go our way this round.

minfelix:
one of This two nations (Madagascar and Burkina Faso) will be a sacrificial lamb falling out for Nigerian to sneak into play off spot
1. Madagascar on 19points travels to Mali for last match
A loss for them 19-6 = 13pts
A draw for them 20-6= 14pts

2. Burkina Faso on 18pts welcomes Ethiopia on last match
A win for them 21-6 = 15pts
A draw for them 19 - 6 = 13pts

Uganda on 18pts travels to Algeria for last match
A loss for them 18- 6 = 12
A draw for them 19-6 = 13

Also DRC on 16 pts with 2matches to go are still a threat


we just need to gather that 17pts and hope Zim gets rooted to the bottom of the group…

we are sneaking into that play off spot

The only way for Zimbabwe not to finish last is if they beat SouthAfrica. If they do that, then we leap frog SouthAfrica on GD with a Win to Lesotho. Anything other than that they will finish last.

owbabs:
Hope for DRC not to beat Togo.

If DRC wins, Nigeria is toast.

I was not Happy today when Burkina Faso defeated Seirralone, their next Match is home to Ethiopia. We should just pray they don't win that mtch with big margin.

Also DR Congo needs to just drop points to Togo today. If not we are toast.

Amedino99:
making an announcement like this before the final round of games will cause issues and accusations of match fixing since some teams know that avoiding a win against the lowest ranked team in their group will help them. Probably will be done after.

Avoiding a win against bottom place team will not necessarily help anyone, that it will not count doesn’t mean , it can’t count in teams finishing second. If we had won Zimbabwe we would have have more points in the internal group ranking, the subtraction has no impact

femianski:
.

Thanks

femianski:
𝗘𝗩𝗘𝗥𝗬𝗧𝗛𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗖𝗢𝗨𝗟𝗗 𝗖𝗛𝗔𝗡𝗚𝗘 𝗜𝗡 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 𝗪𝗢𝗥𝗟𝗗 𝗖𝗨𝗣 𝗤𝗨𝗔𝗟𝗜𝗙𝗜𝗘𝗥𝗦:Eritrea's withdrawal from the qualifiers creates a total imbalance: Group E now has only 5 teams instead of 6.To restore fairness, CAF and FIFA are considering 𝗥𝗘𝗠𝗢𝗩𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗣𝗢𝗜𝗡𝗧𝗦 𝗘𝗔𝗥𝗡𝗘𝗗 𝗔𝗚𝗔𝗜𝗡𝗦𝗧 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗕𝗢𝗧𝗧𝗢𝗠 𝗧𝗘𝗔𝗠 𝗢𝗙 𝗘𝗔𝗖𝗛 𝗚𝗥𝗢𝗨𝗣 in the calculation of the best runners-up. This rule could [currently] cost several teams 6 points (Burkina Faso, DRC, Madagascar, Gabon).
Conversely, Cameroon (–4 pts) and Nigeria could climb the rankings and revive their chances for the playoffs.Official decision expected before October 14.

Where did you see the news that FIFA is considering it with decisions before Oct. 14

123jamessmith:
I listened to Amaju pinnick on Arise News.
he's still believing that Nigeria will qualify for the World Cup.
I understand he's now the Deputy Chairman of FIFA men's competition.
If he occupy such position in FIFA seat, why will that allow South Africa to play 7 matches at home in Qualifiers.
I just believe the NFF didn't do much on that issue.
FIFA would have listened to them if they put more pressure on FIFA.

He was just recently appointed, moreover I recently noticed that nearly half of the countries in African play their away matches elsewhere. NFF just need to play the politics. Try make Niger, Chad and Benin to play their matches in Nigeria too.

JohnBullMySon:
Niger is yet to play. If Niger loses to Zambia then this your point might stand if best losers are 19 points and above. Else the deduction will likely happen.

I think this deduction thing is rubbish honestly. It might benefit us, but it is still rubbish. Instead, FIFA should just award games that have been cancelled as no show.

And lastly, Eritrea should be banned forever from FIFA. This is like the fifth time this happened. Does this not count as govt interference?

There is a precedence, its not rubbish. Every time this situation occurs, this method is adopted, teams are aware of this so they expect it. But it seems are technical directors in NFF are just tthere to make up the numbers

mank1234:
2026 WCQ: Super Eagles fail to make list of runners-up for playoff - Daily Post Nigeria https://dailypost.ng/2025/10/09/2026-wcq-super-eagles-fail-to-make-list-of-runners-up-for-playoff/

What kind of journalism is this - the title is misleading. There's still mathematical chance of qualifying as explained in the body of the news but the title is off.

Like I mentioned earlier na only Nigerians go fit de talk trash with confidence in order to chase clout. Most of these our sports journalists na sabi anything

NIGHTMARE0O7:
Tanzania messed up that chance yesterday by losing their home game. They were in a strong position to make that happen but the stupidly lost their last 2 matches

Now even if u add up the 6 points from Eriteria and give them they wont even make it to be best losers which will make removing the points not neccessary

Make una de calm down abeg. Zimbabwe coach don talk say they will take the match seriously and use it for AFCON, preparations and also make a mark in the qualifiers una say na match fixing tactics. The Eritrea withdrawal case na still una de wan justify why we shouldn’t be there. Niger Republic is currently on 12 points in that group if they win their last match, they could be on 15 points. If you add the 6 points they could tentatively get from Eritrea, that 21 points. Must the points be measured with that of Tanzania? We are trying to pressure CAF/FIFA to adopt that method as it was done before, na still Nigerians de wan pour sand sand inside the call. Nawao. Wether or not the group E runner up emerge or not after the deductions that doesn’t mean FIFA will not adopt the method, all this una talk go make fifa to just lock up and we go comot. As team take play qualifiers thats not necessary how they will perform during the tournament proper. The Atlanta 96 team, struggled to qualify too, if na now una for don tell them to sidon no need to go the tournament as dem de play rubbish for qualifiers.

As far as I am concerned, we will fight till death, until our chances of qualification is zero.

My hope is still intact. We will win our next 2 matches.
SouthAfrica will lose or draw with Zimbabwe and same thing against Rwanda.

If that doesn’t happen, we will play the play off after FIFA applies the necessary adjustments. With Cameroon, Gabon and Either Burkinafaso or Dr Congo.

JohnBullMySon:
Don’t worry we go win that one. Even SA will be rooting for us to win because cause they want the Benin game to be tight.

The Benin match will be the hardest game in this qualifiers.

RSAs main competition now is Benin and our 6 points will be to their advantage.

The main opponent of SA is Nigeria. Benin will not win the next match

Today’s results so far is not really looking good for us in terms of runner up rankings

opes:
Zimbabwe is yet to win a single match from the 8 matches played so far in the qualifiers. Every other team in our group has recorded at least one win against them, except the Super Eagles. I don't see them causing any upset against South Africa. The only hope if via the playoffs.

Lesotho has not recorded a win against Zimbabwe. But lets be watching

elyte89:
I am not cin South Africa 🇿🇦 playing a draw against Zimbabwe 🇿🇼 on a home soil ..aside dt,Zimbabwe are. Playing for nothing .its a straight win for SA

I saw their invitees, it’s the strongest line up i have seen from them. The coach said they will use the match as part of the preparations for the AFCON. This is football anything can happen, an early goal and a red cad can change the complexion of the game, no matter the venue.

minfelix:
all those ones na fans banter…shey zim player will have a 1 on 1 or open net situation and deliberately kick the ball away?

Lol. Na to get the 1 on 1 be the issues

opes:
Zimbabwe cannot defeat Bafana Bafana in a match that will be played in South Africa, it’s the same hope we had with Lesotho until they were defeated 3 nill
If Zimbabwe were serious and desperate for a win, they would have moved the match to another country.

They may not win South Africa may be because they are not just good enough. Zimbabwe and SouthAfrica is almost the same. Nearly 40% of Zimbabwe nationals are living in SA. If Southafrica relax, Zimbabwe will win them and nothing will happen. They tried to move it but it couldn’t

minfelix:
you see that game, Zim will fight to a score draw or a slim win😀😀….shey make we bet am…

Why will they fight. I thought some people said they are neighbours so will just sell the match to SouthAfrica

Amedino99:
the 3 point deduction already made that possible as lesotho was given the 3 points instead so zimbabwe is rooted to the floor. They are playing for pride now.

It only enhance it but not completely. Lesotho is 5 points ahead of Zimbabwe. So if Zimbabwe wins their next game against SA, and we beat Lesotho. That gap will reduce to just 2 points. And the last match is Zimbabwe vs Lesotho a win for Zimbabwe puts Lesotho bottom. Although if the above Scenario occurs it will put us ahead of SA.

So Zimbabwe wins SA, brings us firmly in control of our own fate, and infact make us the favourites to qualify automatically. But any other result for Zimbabwe against SA puts our automatic qualification in jeopardy but brightens our runner up chances, assuming FIFA/CAF adopts that method of ranking.

elyte89:
Sincerely my mind is not even in us qualifying via top spot but make d top 4 second best teams for play off (dis is d realistic position)…infact I want South Africa 🇿🇦 to beat Zimbabwe 🇿🇼,so dt we re sure Dey will come last in the group ,so automatically when Dey start removing points to determine d best 2nd place teams,we stand a better chance of making it since we would be deducted by just two points

FIFA/CAF as not decided on the runner up Ranking.
So the best Scenerio for us will be for SouthAfrica to lose or at least draw Zimbabwe 🇿🇼. Zimbabwe 🇿🇼 is 5 points behind Lesotho, so once they didn't not win all their matches, they will surely finish last.
So is Zimbabwe wins SA, that automatically puts Nigeria ahead of SA, so very huge for us to qualify once we win both of our games. A draw will make Zimbabwe finish last automatically, but SA will still be ahead of us with 1 points so we will just hope that Rwanda makes then drop more points in the last game.
A lost for Zimbabwe 🇿🇼 will mean we will most likely settle for a play off spot.

So all in all, The best scenario for us is a SA loss to Zimbabwe. A draw will put us in good position for the Runner up Ranking likewise a loss for Zimbabwe.

yinkeys:
This may not be fair
Some teams may protest because if its not done equally throughout the tables
Some second place teams may be moved to 3rd after deductions
🤷‍♂️
Maybe you can explain better pls
I have no clue how FIFA would get it done though
In my opinion the fair thing to do would be to deduct the points obtained from last placed teams in every group
Do you believe we can still win the group ?
I’m highly certain South Africa would get 4 points & not 6 in this window.
But our GD is low

If SouthAfrica gets 4 points they will qualify. We need SA to drop at least 3 points

minfelix:
as e b only one stadium wey fifa approve na, we dont even have that luxury of another venue…onikan stadium or Remo stadium would have been close to them if approved by fifa..their own real fans will fill the stadium

Wait oo, in Nigeria we only have 1 FIFA approved stadium ?

minfelix:
im telling it was one of the most unpopular opinion we all even the fans snoozed on
Lesotho vs SA in SA
Zim vs SA in SA
Plus all SA home games in SA🤣🤣… the only two games they played in the real homes of opponents they were playing kuru kere
Rwa 2-0 SA (Butare, Rwanda)
Nig 1-1 SA (uyo Nigeria)

You think SA will beat Benin in cotonou or portnovo, or even beat Zimbabwe in Harare? lai lai

Na Benin mess up, they would have brought that their match with SouthAfrica to Nigeria, make we carry them enter Sani Abacha Stadium Kano to smoke those SA players for Sun.
Honestly we have incompetent people in our FA. We would have protested that Zimbabwe and Lesotho must be excluded from being in the same group with SA

minfelix:
Even all Zimbabwe home based are in durban already

In Durban to do what? Why didn’t they take the match to a neutral ground at least. Or even bring the match to Nigeria. Rubbish

minfelix:
Zim v SA, im seeing a hard crunch draw match…Zim will take the lead, while SA pins them down in their box 18 till they equalize

Why will NFF allow the match to be played in SouthAfrica. Out of the 10 qualification matches. Southafrica has played 7 of them at home. How is that fair for god’s sake? How NFF allow this to happen is mind blogging

jihday:
Argentina and Japan have been the best teams so far, it will be very tough

We will thrive better with a team like Argentina. The Colombians were more physical than us.

TheSuperNerd:
Daga, Sani and Maigana all unlucky to see their chances hit the post/bar.

This team has some good ballers. I keep saying this. This 2025 class will give us players for the Super Eagles down the road.

The good players that I see there are Ochechi the right back, The 2 wingers Sani and Maigana. Others are trash

This our striker, is he in possession of the coaches nudes? The guy is a rubish player, even the match against Saudi he was just rubbish

larride:
Even if we revert back to 4 defenders, I'll prefer we stick with De Ligt and Yoro CBs partnership. Maguire should come in from the bench when needed.

I have no words for Shaw, Dorgu and Dalot

I will excuse Dorgu for now because he is young, but you see those other 2. Hmmmn na Ogun go punish the 2 of them

larride:
Mount surprisingly seems suited for this system. Let's just hope they find a way to manage his fitness.

I think Sesko is settling down well now. He's linking up well with Mount and Mbeumo plus Bruno.

We just need to put crosses in the air more for him too.

Mount is looking not to be a flop like some of us including me thinks. If he stays fit, he is really a very good player.

maik99:
Casemiro's passing is ass tho.
He occasionally creates great chances when he gets it right but otherwise is a worse "bomber" than Bruno and gives the ball way bizarrely

My brother, Casemiro passes better than all our midfielders in terms of passing, the issue with him is due to his age his reaction is slow and his sharpness is now diminished and he can't cover spaces for the entire length of a match. Apart from that he influences our game, whenever he is not available, our attack game is blunt, and he is our biggest threat on set pieces. If we have a proper press resistant and energetic CM to play with him in the pivot, he will not struggle much, given that he will be well rested between games.

afrodoc:
People for riot if we no buy Cunha. Many people here rated him far ahead of Mbeumo. I remember larride wanted to stab people here when he heard we were going for Mbeumo. 😀
It is good we bought both cos na safety measure in case one struggles. It is still early days sha, I think Cunha will come good.

What we could have done, if money was tight, was to get a competent CM on loan or on a free. All we needed was someone with decent mobility and technique, WHO IS SUITED TO THE POSITION. Then next season we make the big money moves in CM.

Starting this season with no competent central midfield addition is an indictment on both Amorim and Wilcox.

Honestly, I was expecting a loan move, I think we were going for Palinha on loan, but Bayern seem to want more loan fee and some sort of conditional obligations. And he is doing well in Spurs now to be honest.

As for Mbeumo, the guy na proper baller, the guy go terrorise teams when he settles properly. Cunha let's pray he becomes important, the quality is there. Although Brazilians are usually erratic, let's pray he does well.

afrodoc:
He is the only DM we have. He reads the game better, anticipates danger earlier and his positioning is better.
He however has no pace anymore, can’t dictate play, and is a loose cannon in terms of discipline.

It has gotten to the point that we need to take him off once he gets a yellow card cos he seems to get more reckless whenever he gets the first one.

I knew this midfield would be a problem and I mentioned several times during the transfer window. You are playing a system which you don’t have even a single midfielder that is suited to. Amorim and Wilcox both need to be drawn and quartered.

Yes he has lost yards of pace , just like many brazilians at Similar age, Amorim needs to talk to him seriously, he cant be giving away cards like that. Although apart from reading the game and positioning, his passing and influence in game is far better than everyone in that CM position. If you watch our game closely, you will see that he is really a big influence and he has huge attacking threats even from deep. The issue we have in midfield is not really because of Casemiro, it is due to Bruno playing in the CM position, Bruno positional awareness and discipline is lacking, so our midfield is not thick enough. Its early days though, but I think we should have signed a competent CM this season instead of Cunha, to pair Casemiro in the pivot, then move Bruno to his proper AM position. Mount is even looking more suited to this system than Cunha. With just 1 game a week Casemiro is ok for this season, but we need to offload him and Ugarte next season, and get 2 proper CMs for the pivot.

Its early days, but Sesko seems to be a better footballer than Hojlund, and our new Gk seems not to be a panic shearer.