Burkina Faso defender, Steeve Yago, has expressed his frustration after Nigeria clinched a spot in the continental play-offs for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, edging out his country on goal difference.
The Super Eagles thrashed Benin Republic 4-0 to qualify as one of the best four runners-up.
They will join Gabon, Cameroon and DR Congo in the next stage.
Burkina Faso had defeated Ethiopia 3–1. But despite both sides finishing with 15 points, Nigeria advanced due to a superior goal difference.
Gabon topped the runners-up ranking with 19 points, followed by DR Congo (16), Cameroon (+9 goal difference), and Nigeria (+7), while Burkina Faso (+6) narrowly missed out.
Reacting on his X account, Yago wrote: “Honestly, it’s strange: you win your matches against the weakest team in your group, and yet Nigeria is ahead of you, even though they didn’t even beat Zimbabwe, the bottom side in their group.
“Apparently, beating the last-placed team is too conventional. Thank you, CAF and FIFA!
“With my career coming to an end, I’ll soon study the system so I can criticize it properly,” he added.