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Nigeria’s senior team needs a 1-0 win over Benin Republic next week to qualify for the world cup, if South Africa fail to beat Rwanda in the other group match, as OwnGoalNigeria.com can exclusively reveal.
After yesterday’s 2-1 victory over Lesotho and with South Africa drawing 0-0 against Zimbabwe, the Nigerian senior team moved to within one point of second place, but still remains three points behind Benin Republic, who beat Rwanda 1-0 in Kigali.
Heading into the final round of games, Nigeria will come in with two options that can be activated with a 1-0 win over Benin Republic, meaning they can either finish second and pick a playoff spot or finish first if South Africa fail to beat Rwanda.
Should South Africa fail to beat Rwanda, the Nigerian team will only need a 1-0 victory to tie Benin Republic at the top. They will also be tied on goal difference, which is the first tiebreaker.
Since goal difference cannot choose a winner, the next deciding factor will be a goal scored and even then both will be tied with the same number of goals scored. Then the third switch that is face to face will be used.
A 1-0 victory for Nigeria will leave both teams tied at 2-2 on aggregate as Benin Republic won the second leg 2-1. It is at this time that the away goal rule will apply.
Nigeria’s away goal will allow them to advance as group winners, but this will only be possible if South Africa fails to beat Rwanda. However, a 1-0 win will also put them in pole position to finish as one of the four best runners-up, sealing a place in the play-off due to the CAF directive on points scored against the last team in the entire group following Eritrea’s withdrawal.
Mohammed Mowiz Suleiman
