Can Nigeria stop Bafana Bafana from qualifying for the World Cup? Jay-Jay Okocha makes his prediction - 'Super Eagles have to be thinking of winning all remaining matches'

Retired Nigerian star Jay-Jay Okocha has said the Super Eagles must win all their remaining World Cup matches in order to deny South Africa a ticket to the global showpiece in 2026.

While acknowledging how difficult it would be to beat Bafana Bafana in South Africa, the former Bolton Wanderers star believes his countrymen can go and win to boost their slim chances of going to the World Cup.

“If we want to give ourselves any chance of qualifying, we have to be thinking of winning all our remaining matches,” Okocha said as quoted by iDiski Times.

“Of course Bafana Bafana are top in the group; it will be a difficult game to play, but of course we still believe that we can go there and win.

“If we want to qualify, those are the games that we need to win. I believe that we can win there, but it’s definitely not going to be easy," he concluded.

South Africa are the commanding leaders of Group C, sitting at the top enjoying a five-point gap. Wins over Lesotho and Benin took their tally to 13 points, while Rwanda are second with eight points.

Benin have the same points as Rwanda, but an inferior goal difference means they are fourth. The Super Eagles, who dropped crucial points in the March qualifiers, are fourth.

After beating Rwanda in Kigali, they were shockingly held to a 1-1 draw by winless Zimbabwe. Lesotho are fifth with six points, while the Warriors are at the bottom of the group.

There are only four remaining qualifiers, and this includes both countries meeting.

When the qualifying campaign resumes, Bafana will first tackle Lesotho on September 1 before a home game against the Super Eagles on September 8.

Zimbabwe will host South Africa on October 6 before the Hugo Broos charges conclude with an away match against Rwanda on October 13.

Nigeria, on the other hand, will face Rwanda, South Africa, Lesotho, and Benin in their remaining games.