German trainer Gernot Rohr believes Nigeria's chances of picking a ticket to the 2026 FIFA World Cup is all but over following Tuesday's 1-1 draw to South Africa in Bloemfontein while his Cheetah's of Benin crushed Lesotho 4-0.

At the end of this month's Matchday 7 and 8, Bafana remained at the top of Group C with 17 points, followed by Benin with 14 points and Nigeria in third with just 11 points.

"We are happy about this great victory (over Lesotho) and we are eagerly awaiting FIFA's decision to take three points away from South Africa and give it to Lesotho because that is the rule," the erstwhile Super Eagles' manager told NationSport even as he rued Nigeria's draw away to South Africa.

"Of course, I predicted a win for Nigeria but they got a draw , so they have a very small chance to qualify because there's still hope for second-placed teams across the groups," he further explained. "But it can be difficult for Nigeria because they would need more points.

"It can be frustrating and I feel pity for my former players that they might not be going to the next World Cup."

On the upcoming October International break, Rohr admitted there would be a sense of déjà vu when he leads the Cheetahs out against the Super Eagles in their last Group C encounter in Uyo on October 13.

" It would be a great a feeling to go back to Uyo for our final qualifier against Nigeria," said Rohr whose side handed a 2-1 defeat to the Super Eagles on MatchDay 6 in Abidjan ." But we would be going to Uyo with the hope to also qualify for the World Cup.

"Frankly, it's always a big emotion to come back (to Uyo) to see the same people that we had good moments with before at the wonderful stadium in Uyo which is still one of the best stadia in Africa," he added.