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2026 World Cup: NFF petitions FIFA over undue advantage of Lesotho, Zimbabwe, playing home matches in South Africa

Posted : 29 March 2025

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has officially submitted a petition to FIFA regarding an undue advantage given to South Africa in the race for qualification for the 2026 World Cup. Two of Nigeria’s Group C contenders, Lesotho and Zimbabwe, who are also competing for the sole qualification ticket, are playing their home matches in South Africa. This situation undermines fair play in the qualifying race, given that South Africa is also in the same group.  


Both Lesotho and Zimbabwe, who share a qualifying group with the Super Eagles, are hosting their World Cup qualifying home games in South Africa.  


This effectively means that South Africa will play their remaining four World Cup qualifying matches at home in the real sense.  


In September, Matchday 7 against Lesotho (away) and Matchday 8 against Nigeria (home) will both take place in South Africa.  


The same applies in October for Matchday 9 (away) against Zimbabwe and Matchday 10 (home) against Rwanda.  


South Africa’s previous away games were against the Super Eagles (1-1), Rwanda (lost 2-0), and Benin (won 2-0).  


“This is against fair play as it gives South Africa an undue advantage in the World Cup qualification,” a top official told SCORENigeria.  


“The NFF is therefore requesting that the forthcoming home games of Lesotho and Zimbabwe against South Africa be moved out of South Africa.”  


South Africa leads Group C with 13 points from six matches, while Rwanda is second with eight points.  


Benin is third with eight points, Nigeria is fourth with seven points, Lesotho is fifth with six points, and Zimbabwe is at the bottom with four points.

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