Warriors dent Eagles’ World Cup hopes

South Africa may have taken a clear break from the field of six teams in Group C of the World Cup qualifying series after beating Benin Republic 2-0 away from home while the Super Eagles were frustrated with a 1-1 draw at home in the duel with Zimbabwe.
Barring the decision of FIFA regarding their fielding of an ineligible player in a matchday 5 duel with Lesotho last week, South Africa have amassed 13 points nearly twice the seven that the Super Eagles have been able to gather.
The Super Eagles were cruising to a 1-0 lead that could have cushioned a second place for them after Victor Osimhen put them ahead in the 74th minute.
Laxity suddenly crept in while they were playing for time. Zimbabwe latched on and scored a 90th-minute goal that tumbled Nigeria from a possible second position to fourth.
Just before Zimbabwe’s Tawanda Chirewa scored the equaliser, Lesotho had offered a helping hand levelling at 1-1 in the corresponding match with Rwanda.
Nigeria now have to look forward to the next match, still at home, against Rwanda in August. At that time, Lesotho will be playing their home match against South Africa in South Africa.
Benin will be at home against bottom-placed Zimbabwe.