South Africa and Nigeria battled to a 1-1 draw in a tightly contested FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualification Group C match at Free State Stadium on Tuesday.
The Round 8 encounter, marked by early goals and injuries, saw both teams share points, with South Africa maintaining their lead at the top of the group and Nigeria struggling to keep pace in the race for a direct qualification spot.
The match started with high intensity but was disrupted early when Nigeria’s Ola Aina was forced off in the 10th minute due to injury, replaced by Bright Osayi-Samuel.
Both teams pressed aggressively, with South Africa dominating possession (59% to Nigeria’s 41%) and outshooting their opponents 8-4 over the 90 minutes.
The breakthrough came in the 25th minute when Nigeria’s captain, William Troost-Ekong, inadvertently scored an own goal under pressure, giving South Africa a 1-0 lead.
Nigeria responded just before halftime, with Calvin Bassey equalizing in the 44th minute, assisted by Fisayo Dele-Bashiru.
The second half saw no further scoring despite tactical substitutions, including Nigeria’s Tolu Arokodare and Bruno Onyemaechi at the 46th minute, and South Africa’s Thabiso Monyane for the injured Zuko Mdunyelwa in the 63rd minute.
South Africa, under coach Hugo Broos, fielded a strong lineup despite missing defenders Nyiko Mobbie and Thabo Brendon Moloisane due to injuries from their 3-0 win over Lesotho on September 5, 2025.
Burnley’s Lyle Foster led the attack, supported by Orlando Pirates’ Thalente Mbatha and Mamelodi Sundowns’ Teboho Mokoena.
Nigeria’s Super Eagles, managed by Eric Chelle, were without star striker Victor Osimhen, injured in their 1-0 win over Rwanda on September 6, 2025.
Tolu Arokodare started up top, flanked by Ademola Lookman, Moses Simon, and Alex Iwobi. Injuries forced further changes, with Wilfred Ndidi exiting in the 70th minute for Chrisantus Uche.
South Africa remain atop Group C with 17 points from eight matches (5 wins, 1 draw, 2 losses), bolstered by a +8 goal difference. Nigeria, with 11 points (2 wins, 4 draws, 2 losses), sit second.
Only the group winner secures direct qualification for the 2026 World Cup in the USA, Canada, and Mexico, while the runner-up faces a playoff.
With two matches remaining, Nigeria’s path to a seventh consecutive World Cup appearance is increasingly precarious.
