By Emeka Blast 
FIFA Faces Backlash Over Grouping of South Africa, Lesotho, and Zimbabwe in Nigeria’s Qualifying Pool
Lagos, Nigeria – The 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification process in Africa has sparked heated controversy, with fans and analysts accusing FIFA of orchestrating an “international conspiracy” by placing South Africa, Lesotho, and Zimbabwe—three neighboring nations with close ties—in the same Group C alongside Nigeria, Benin, and Rwanda. Critics argue that the grouping, combined with Lesotho and Zimbabwe playing their home matches in South Africa, creates an unfair disadvantage for Nigeria’s Super Eagles, who are struggling to secure a spot in the expanded 48-team tournament set for the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) Group C, drawn on July 13, 2023, in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, includes South Africa, Lesotho, Zimbabwe, Nigeria, Benin, and Rwanda, with only the group winner guaranteed a World Cup spot and the runner-up eligible for inter-confederation play-offs, per Wikipedia. Fans have voiced frustration over the regional ties among South Africa, Lesotho, and Zimbabwe, noting their shared history within the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and geographical proximity. Social media posts, like one from @NaijaEagleFan on X, lament, “FIFA put SA, Lesotho, and Zimbabwe in one group? They’re practically brothers! And Lesotho/Zimbabwe play ‘home’ games in SA? This is a setup against Nigeria! 😬 #FIFAConspiracy.”
The controversy is fueled by the fact that Lesotho and Zimbabwe, lacking FIFA-approved stadiums, have opted to play their home qualifiers in South African venues, such as Bloemfontein’s Toyota Stadium for Lesotho’s matches, per BBC Sport. This arrangement effectively gives South Africa a “home advantage” in matches against their neighbors, while Nigeria must travel for all away games. A Nigerian fan, @SuperEagles4Life, tweeted, “Lesotho and Zimbabwe playing in SA is like Nigeria playing home games in Ghana. FIFA’s draw feels rigged! 🙇🏻 #WorldCup2026.”
South Africa currently lead Group C with a five-point advantage after six of ten matches, bolstered by a 2-0 win over Lesotho in March 2025 and a 3-1 victory against Zimbabwe in June 2024, per CAFOnline. Nigeria, languishing in fourth with only one win, face a critical match against Rwanda on September 6, followed by a showdown with South Africa in Bloemfontein on September 9, per NBC Sports. The Super Eagles’ hopes were further dented by a 1-1 draw against Zimbabwe on March 25, 2025, where a stoppage-time equalizer cost them crucial points, per CAFOnline.
Adding to the tension, FIFA is yet to rule on a protest by Lesotho’s Football Association regarding South Africa fielding an ineligible player, Teboho Mokoena, in their March 2025 match due to a yellow card suspension, per BBC Sport. A potential 3-0 technical victory for Lesotho could reshape the group standings, boosting Nigeria’s chances, but also highlights the fierce competition within the “brotherly” trio, per BBC Sport. Mokhosi Mohapi, Lesotho’s FA secretary general, told BBC Sport Africa, “We just want FIFA’s regulations adhered to,” emphasizing fairness over malice.
While fans cry foul, FIFA’s draw process, based on FIFA Men’s World Rankings as of June 2023, aimed to balance competition across nine groups of six teams, per Wikipedia. South Africa, ranked higher than Lesotho and Zimbabwe, were placed in Pot 1, while Nigeria, despite their pedigree, landed in Pot 2 due to a dip in form, per FIFA. The random draw, conducted publicly, makes a deliberate conspiracy unlikely, though the optics of regional clustering and shared venues have fueled skepticism. Analyst John Obi, writing for AfricanFootball.com, noted, “The draw isn’t rigged, but the optics are terrible. FIFA should’ve foreseen how Lesotho and Zimbabwe using SA stadiums would look to Nigerians.”
Critics also point to logistical challenges, with Nigeria facing longer travel for away games compared to the regional familiarity among South Africa, Lesotho, and Zimbabwe. @FootballAnalystNG tweeted, “South Africa’s neighbors playing ‘home’ games on their soil? It’s like they’re ganging up on Nigeria. FIFA’s gotta fix this! 😳 #CAFQualifiers.” However, CAF’s qualification format, approved on May 19, 2023, prioritizes competitive balance over regional considerations, per Wikipedia.
With four rounds remaining, Nigeria’s path to qualification hinges on maximum points against Rwanda and South Africa, per BBC Sport. South Africa could secure their World Cup spot as early as September 9 if they defeat Lesotho today and Nigeria at home, though they need favorable results involving Benin and Rwanda, per ESPN. The ongoing FIFA investigation into South Africa’s ineligible player could yet tilt the scales, potentially awarding Lesotho points and tightening the race, per BBC Sport.
As debates rage over fairness, the Group C drama underscores the high stakes of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers. Whether FIFA’s draw was an oversight or an unavoidable outcome, Nigeria’s Super Eagles face a formidable challenge against their southern African “brothers,” with fans hoping for a resolution that levels the playing field.
