Crazy WCQ day in prospect: do or die for Osimhen-less Super Eagles, Auba and Mbeumo on verge of success

There aren't too many days like this Tuesday when it comes to excitement-packed World Cup Qualifiers, and this applies especially to Africa.

Tuesday's menu is a thing of real beauty and drama, with almost half a dozen super-exciting clashes all over the continent that could affect the outcome of these qualifiers.

To begin with, Nigeria would be under the spotlight as the Super Eagles are about to face group leaders South Africa in the decisive match. Without injured Victor Osimhen, who will miss the game due to a groin problem aggravated during the Rwanda tie, Nigeria face a critical test at Bafana Bafana.

BETTING TIPS: South Africa vs Nigeria Match Preview, Team News and Betting Guide

The Super Eagles travel to Bloemfontein with Tolu Arokodare expected to lead the attacking line, supported by Ademola Lookman and Moses Simon on the wings.

Nigeria are third in Group C with ten points from seven games, six points adrift of leaders South Africa and one behind second-placed Benin.

Only the group winners will progress directly to the World Cup, while runners-up face a difficult path through playoffs. With stronger second-placed teams like Gabon, Cameroon, and Senegal already outpacing Nigeria in points, the Super Eagles are desperately looking for a win on a hostile soil where they haven't won since 2008.

As we mentioned, Gabon and Cameroon are still in contention for direct qualification and/or playoffs.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang will lead his national side in a critical clash at Ivory Coast. If they beat the Elephants in Franceville tonight, Gabon would find themselves at the top of their WC qualification group with just two games left. That could potentially push Auba's men to the verge of their first-ever World Cup appearance.

Three hours prior, Cameroon will take on Cape Verde in a high-stakes derby game. The Blue Sharks are determined to defend their leading position against the Indomitable Lions, led by Manchester United's Brian Mbeumo.

So far, Capo Verde have been enjoying a sensational campaign, collecting five wins in seven games, with a single defeat. On the other end, Cameroon are still unbeaten in these qualifiers (four wins, three draws). If they pull off a huge away win today, they would leapfrog Cape Verde at the top of the table as Rigobert Song can rely on a potent attack. A draw would keep everything open right up to the wire.

Several more highly entertaining games are in prospect, like the one between DR Congo and Senegal, which shows that today's programme is as marvellous as it gets.

2026 FIFA WORLD CUP QUALIFIERS - AFRICA

Tuesday

16.00: (1.03) Kenya (15.0) Seychelles (75.0)

16.00: (1.17) Namibia (7.25) Sao Tome (17.0)

16.00: (2.05) Sierra Leone (3.30) Ethiopia (3.80)

16.00: (1.82) Tanzania (3.45) Niger (4.70)

16.00: (2.75) Zimbabwe (2.95) Rwanda (2.85)

19.00: (3.20) Burkina Faso (3.20) Egypt (2.35)

19.00: (2.95) Cape Verde (3.05) Cameroon (2.60)

19.00: (3.60) DR Congo (3.15) Senegal (2.20)

19.00: (2.55) South Africa (3.05) Nigeria (3.00)

19.00: (2.25) Togo (3.15) Sudan (3.45)

22.00: (1.20) Angola (6.50) Mauritius (16.0)

22.00: (1.60) Benin (3.60) Lesotho (6.75)

22.00: (3.80) Gabon (3.30) Ivory Coast (2.05)

22.00: (1.67) Gambia (3.60) Burundi (5.70)

22.00: (1.35) Mauritania (4.60) South Sudan (10.5)

***odds are subject to change***