Nigeria, Oct. 14 -- When the draws for the 2026 FIFA World Cup African qualifiers were made in July 2023, few would have imagined that Nigeria's Super Eagles would be walking a tightrope at this stage.

Group C, which looked relatively straightforward with Lesotho, Rwanda, and Zimbabwe, was widely considered one of the easier paths to the World Cup. Only South Africa appeared to offer a genuine challenge.

Yet, as the qualification series nears its conclusion, the reality tells a very different story.

Nigeria, once seen as a clear favourite, now stands on the brink - battling mathematics, momentum, and memories of past disappointments to stay in the race for North America.

The qualification format for the 2026 tournament is the most com...