(DDM) – South Africa’s Bafana Bafana secured a commanding 3-0 victory over Lesotho on Friday, further complicating Nigeria’s troubled World Cup qualification campaign.
Diaspora Digita Media (DDM) gathered that the result keeps South Africa at the top of Group C in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, leaving the Super Eagles with an uphill battle.
The match in Johannesburg saw Mohau Nkota open scoring with a stunning volley in the 15th minute, setting the tone for a dominant display.
Lesotho, nicknamed the Crocodiles, struggled to find any rhythm and were punished for defensive lapses in the second half.
Burnley striker Lyle Foster doubled the lead in the 63rd minute after goalkeeper Sekhoane Moerane fumbled a strike from Aubrey Modiba.
Just four minutes later, Foster turned provider, assisting Oswin Appollis to score the third goal and seal a comfortable win for Bafana Bafana.
The victory pushes South Africa to 16 points from seven games, five points clear of second-placed Benin.
Benin themselves edged Zimbabwe 1-0 in a tight contest thanks to Steve Mounie’s powerful second-half header.
Rwanda occupy third place with eight points, while Nigeria sit a disappointing fourth with just seven points, facing growing uncertainty about qualification.
Observers say the Super Eagles now have little room for error, with only group winners assured of a ticket to the 2026 finals in Canada, Mexico, and the United States.
South Africa’s resurgence has also been clouded by controversy after FIFA confirmed a pending case involving an administrative error in March.
Midfielder Teboho Mokoena was fielded against Lesotho despite being suspended, a decision that could yet have disciplinary consequences for Bafana Bafana.
Despite that cloud, Hugo Broos’ men have maintained momentum, mixing youth and experience to build one of their strongest campaigns since 2010.
That year, South Africa hosted the World Cup but failed to progress beyond the group stage, remaining the only host nation to exit so early.
For Nigeria, attention now turns to Saturday’s must-win clash against Rwanda in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, scheduled for 5 p.m. local time.
The Super Eagles will then travel to Bloemfontein on Tuesday for a high-stakes encounter with South Africa, which may ultimately determine their World Cup fate.
Critics argue that Nigeria’s struggles reflect deeper issues, including tactical inconsistency, poor finishing, and the absence of key injured players.
Fans have voiced frustration over repeated failures in critical matches, with calls for the Nigerian Football Federation to overhaul its approach.
With only two matches left to rescue their campaign, the Super Eagles remain under immense pressure to deliver results or risk missing another global tournament.