Nigeria vs South Africa: Trouble for Finidi George as Super Eagles drop to fourth in WCQ group without kicking a ball

Super Eagles head coach Finidi George | CAF

FOOTBALL Nigeria vs South Africa: Trouble for Finidi George as Super Eagles drop to fourth in WCQ group without kicking a ball

Nigeria vs South Africa: Trouble for Finidi George as Super Eagles drop to fourth in WCQ group without kicking a ball

Izuchukwu Akawor • Izuchukwu Akawor • 10:33 - 07.06.2024

The real reason why Finidi George and his Super Eagles team cannot afford to drop points against South Africa in their WCQ.

Nigeria's dream of reaching the 2026 World Cup is hanging in the balance after the Super Eagles dropped to fourth in Group C of the African World Cup qualifying campaign.

Former Nigeria boss Gernot Rohr masterminded an impressive 1-0 win for Benin Republic over Rwanda, moving his Cheetahs side up to second in the group on four points - just one behind leaders Rwanda.

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Finidi George’s Super Eagles in soup

That Benin result has piled the pressure on new Nigeria manager Finidi, whose side now sit third in the group, two points adrift of Rohr's Benin.

Douko Dodo's 37th-minute strike proved the difference for Rohr's men, leaving Nigeria facing a crucial must-win battle against South Africa in their next outing.

New Super Eagles boss Finidi George watches on from the sidelines in his first session.
New Super Eagles boss Finidi George watches on from the sidelines in his first session.

The Super Eagles managed just two points from their opening two matches under previous boss Jose Peseiro, and they'll need to pick themselves up quickly under Finidi's stewardship.

Their acid test will come against the Bafana Bafana, who famously defeated Nigeria 2-0 in Uyo the last time the two sides met seven years ago.

Former Super Eagles head coach Gernot Rohr is looking to derail Nigeria's World Cup dreams.
Former Super Eagles head coach Gernot Rohr is looking to derail Nigeria's World Cup dreams. || Imago

Finidi George's men simply cannot afford another slip-up against South Africa if they are to get their World Cup qualification bid back on track. Anything less than three points could prove costly in their quest to reach the 2026 tournament.

With the pressure mounting, the Super Eagles boss knows his side has to deliver a big performance against their rivals - failure to do so could derail Nigeria's World Cup dreams before they've even truly got going.

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