South Africa's unexpected 2-0 loss to Rwanda has given a glimmer of hope to Nigeria's struggling Super Eagles in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers. The Super Eagles had a shaky start with 1-1 draws against Lesotho and Zimbabwe.

Initially, South Africa's win in their first game heightened concerns in the Super Eagles' camp, as Bafana Bafana are considered Nigeria's main rival in Group C. However, South Africa's surprising defeat to Rwanda has shifted the dynamics.

The match, held at the Huye Stadium in Butare, Rwanda, saw Gilbert Mugisha and Innocent Nshuti securing a 2-0 victory for Rwanda. With this result, South Africa now sits in second place in Group C with three points, while Rwanda leads with four points. Nigeria is in third place with two points.

Lesotho and Zimbabwe, tied with Nigeria in points, are in joint third place, while Benin Republic trails with just one point.

Looking ahead to the next round of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers in June 2024, the Super Eagles aim to capitalize on the current standings by defeating South Africa in Nigeria. However, if they fail to secure a win or a draw against Bafana Bafana, their chances of qualifying for the tournament may diminish significantly.

The upcoming matches in June will be crucial for the Super Eagles as they strive to improve their position in Group C and enhance their prospects for the 2026 World Cup.