The first pathway is to win the final match against Benin Republic. A victory is essential for the team to stay in contention.

The second pathway is for the Super Eagles to hope for a slip-up. Benin Republic and South Africa must drop points in their last fixtures.

The third pathway is to improve the goal difference. Nigeria trail Benin and South Africa, so scoring more goals and keeping a clean sheet could be decisive if teams finish level on points.

A final-day showdown could also be crucial. A strong performance in the last round could see Nigeria overtake the leaders, Benin Republic and secure the top spot.

For Lesotho, the defeat is a harsh blow, effectively ending their hopes of qualifying from the group. With nine points from five matches, they now need an almost impossible combination of results to stay in contention.