The qualification process to the 2026 FIFA world cup has been characterized by disappointment to some African giants, hope to others and pride even to teams that have been disqualified.

Nigeria is facing the prospect of losing back-to-back for world cup, the Super Eagles. Their qualification has been pathetic campaigning against Lesotho, Zimbabwe and South Africa and then losing 2-1 to Benin.

Nigeria is six points behind group leaders South Africa with only a few points.

The findings caused an uproar in the country; the Nigeria Football Federation released a statement of high-profile apology.

Some critics such as ex-coach Sunday Oliseh have cautioned that failure to qualify once again would be catastrophic not only to the players but also to the image of the Nigerian football.

South Africa Steps Up

Bafana Bafana are, in contrast, performing well. They lie at the summit of the pack and have revived hopes of returning to the World Cup since they were the host in 2010.

Although the threat of a possible deduction of three points against an ineligible player incident has been looming, a high level of discipline and consistency has helped the South African to have a good stand to win over the qualification.

Their emergence only brings out the failure of Nigeria.

Kenya’s Pride in Victory

The Harambee Stars of Kenya have nothing to be proud of but at least they gave the people something to cheer about. Captain Michael Olunga and Ryan Ogam scored twice each with Richard Sichenje scoring once as they won easily 5-0 over Seychelles.

The victory was a boost to morale following a torturous 3-1 defeat to Gambia which destroyed realistic chances of qualifying.

Continental Lessons

The qualifiers of Africa reveal three realities: the weakness of the conventional power brokers, Nigeria being exposed by their failure, South Africa is rewarded by discipline, and Kenya already demonstrates that pride can exist even in the absence of qualification.

The qualifiers drama serves to remind the fans that the drama of the qualifiers is as captivating as even the world cup.

South Africa Football. PHOTO/Bafana Bafana/X.