Following an intense meeting at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) semi-final a few months back in Côte d’Ivoire, the Super Eagles of Nigeria and the Bafana Bafana of South Africa are set to lock horns in the quest for a spot at the 2026 FIFA’s World Cup.
It was an end-to-end clash at the Stade de la Paix where Teboho Mokoena’s 90th-minute penalty cancelled William Troost-Ekong’s 67th-minute opener from the spot, as both sides settled for a penalty shoot-out in Bouaké on February 7. Tense as it was, the Super Eagles held their nerves to edge Bafana Bafana and make it to the AFCON finals, but both sides still have a score to settle en route to the grandest stage of international football.
By 8 pm (WAT) at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo, Nigeria on Friday, June 7, the Super Eagles and the Bafana Bafana will be eyeing all three points, as they aim to topple surprise leaders Rwanda, who sits atop Africa’s 2026 World Cup qualifiers Group C with four points after the opening two Matchdays. South Africa is second on the log with three points, while Nigeria trails with two points after drawing their opening qualifiers against Lesotho and Zimbabwe 1-1 respectively.
Nigeria vs South Africa: What to expect
The last time South Africa tasted World Cup football was in 2010 when they hosted the rest of the world. With over a decade-long absence from the football fiesta, the 1996 AFCON winner will be up against three-time African champions Nigeria who narrowly missed their berth at the last World Cup to Thomas Partey-inspired Ghana.
The Super Eagles who severed ties with Jose Peseiro on March 1, a few days after the Portuguese led them to a second-place finish at AFCON 2023 are now being led by legend Finidi George whose primary task is to overcome his predecessor’s deficit and secure the county’s spot at the 2026 WC.
Signed by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) a few games away from possibly defending his Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) title with Enyimba, George’s first international test will be up against Hugo Broos who won the AFCON for Cameroon in 2017.
Broos, while sharing his expectations ahead of the match, believes luck was against Bafana when they faced the Eagles at AFCON. “We also saw what we could do against them [Nigeria] in AFCON if we had a little bit of luck on our side. I think we were the best team in the semifinals, we could have won that so we don’t have to be afraid,” the Belgian said.
“We want to have a good result against Nigeria because this is a qualifier for the World Cup and we don’t think about revenge.”
Revenge or not, South Africa has struggled against Nigeria in their last five matches, managing only one victory (three losses, one win, and one draw), with their sole win dating back to 2017. The AFCON 2023 bronze medalists faced significant challenges even before arriving in Nigeria, including a flight delay that extended their journey to 18 hours.
As of Wednesday night, the Bafana Bafana had just arrived in Nigeria and had yet to reach Uyo. While this might raise a bit of concern over their match readiness, Nigeria also suffered their fair share of preparatory setbacks which stemmed from the nationwide strike that made some Eagles stranded.
A leadership gap in Nigeria’s squad for the qualifiers could raise concerns. Key leaders, including captain Ahmed Musa, assistant captain Kenneth Omeruo, and AFCON 2023 hero Troost-Ekong, were not included in George’s 23-man roster. This absence of experienced leaders could impact the Super Eagles’ performance.
Nigeria vs South Africa: Team news and likely lineups
The Super Eagles are heading into this must-win match without their most prolific forward Victor Osimhen. The 2023 CAF Player of the Year pulled out of George’s squad due to an injury he picked up in Napoli’s concluding fixture of the 2023/24 season.
Bundesliga champion Nathan Tella also asked to be excused due to personal reasons. George has replaced the duo with NPFL rising star Kenneth Igboke and Rizespor midfielder Ibrahim Olawoyin.
Kaizer Chiefs Given Msimango has replaced Bafana’s top defender Grant Kekana, while captain Ronwen Williams whose fitness was a doubt travelled with the rest of the squad. The AFCON 2023 Golden Glove winner is expected to be between the sticks at the Nest of Champions on Friday.
Likely XI
Nigeria (3-4-3): Nwabali; Ajayi, Tanimu, Bassey; Ndidi, Onyedika, Iwobi, Chukwueze; Lookman, Boniface.
South Africa (4-2-3-1): Williams; Mobbie, Mvala, Ngezana, Modiba; Mokoena, Sithole; Tau, Zwane Appollis; Rayners.
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