Super Eagles, World Cup ticket and the curse of permutation

Nigeria's Super Eagles face World Cup qualification miss in Group C: must win vs Lesotho & Benin, chase South Africa & Benin leads amid coaching chaos

The Super Eagles of Nigeria need a miracle to qualify for the World Cup, but why do they always have to walk tightropes? (Photo credit: BBC)

The Super Eagles of Nigeria are about to miss out on another World Cup, and if our worst fear does come to life, it would be the third time and the second in a row that Nigeria would be absent from the FIFA World Cup.

There's so much to unpack from the abysmally qualified process; however, it's unacceptable for a nation like Nigeria to struggle alongside supposed football minnows for a World Cup ticket.

Nigeria was drawn in the same group as their latest opponent, Lesotho; the Benin Republic, whom they play next Tuesday; and group leaders South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Rwanda, with little hope for qualification.

From Finidi George to Austin Eguavoen and then Eric Chelle, the Super Eagles have had to learn under three different ideologies and an unstable football house. Will Chelle be left on the job even after he ultimately fails to land a World Cup ticket?

Nigeria plays Lesotho away on Friday, chasing South Africa and the Benin Republic's three-point leads. The Benin Republic end of the bargain is in Nigeria's hands as the Super Eagles host the Squirrels on Tuesday.

For Lesotho, it's important to establish that they earned a valuable point in Nigeria, making it impossible for the Super Eagles to underrate their opponent in Maseru; it's a game Nigeria must win without question.

South Africa was docked three points by FIFA for fielding an ineligible player against Lesotho in the earlier rounds; the three points offered Nigeria faint hopes. However, if there's anyone who can celebrate, it's the Republic of Benin, but they too must beat Nigeria and Zimbabwe.

Even if Nigeria wins both games against Lesotho and Gernot Rhor's Benin Republic, they still must hope South Africa loses one of their two games, with the Super Eagles also needing a goal swing. This sort of permutation has always been the case with Nigeria; when will it end?