2026 World Cup Qualifier: Nigeria Walk On Tight Rope

Fading dreams as hosts Bafana Bafana draw 1-1 with Super Eagles

With calculators out and still clicking loud, Nigeria’s World Cup hope took another down turn as they Super Eagles managed a frustrating draw against table toppers, South Africa on Tuesday night in Bloemfontein.

With the result, the Eric Chelle-tutored side now have a mountain to climb if they are to feature in the global football carnival next year.

Though some are still having a glimmer of hope, failing to beat South Africa in their Group C confrontation now sees the Super Eagles trailing Bafana Bafana by six points with only two matches left to play.

A victory in this encounter would have made a huge difference by reducing this deficit, but an own goal from William Troost-Ekong and a headed effort from Calvin Bassey meant the game finished all square.

Eric Chelle’s side must now win their two remaining qualifiers and hope South Africa possibly lose both of theirs in order to secure a World Cup berth.

Additionally, they need to better Bafana Bafana’s goal difference, which they currently trail by six.

Unfortunately, with talisman Victor Osimhen missing through injury sustained in the game against Rwanda in Uyo, this must-win tie for Nigeria started in a frustrating note as Ola Aina went down with a hamstring injury only after six minutes of play.

Nigeria’s tough start continued as Bright Osayi-Samuel, Aina’s replacement, was dispossessed in the box to hand Oswin Appollis the first shooting chance of the evening, though he was denied by a smart parry from Stanley Nwabali.

Al-Ettifaq’s Mohau Nkota, who was outstanding on the right flank throughout the evening, forced the opener with a low cross in the 25 minutes when disaster struck as Nigeria’s captain on the night, Troost-Ekong, tripped over and bundled the ball past keeper Nwabali into his net before being replaced at half-time.

With this opener, Bafana Bafana pushed to extend the lead, peppering the Nigerian back line in a convincing spell, but were unable to find a way through as the Coach Chelle’s side slowly grew into the game.

However, Nigeria clawed their way back just before half time as Calvin Bassey rose highest in the 42nd minute to meet a pinpoint delivery from Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, powering his header beyond Ronwen Williams to level the score at 1-1 heading into the break.

Though the shot appeared to deflect off his arm, the absence of VAR meant the goal stood.

Both sides went close to changing the scoreline in the second half with Nigeria’s Tolu Arokodare, particularly threatening after his half-time introduction, but neither could find the all-important winner.

Christantus Uche was introduced late on as the Super Eagles pushed to claim all three points, but he shot well wide from the edge of the area deep in injury time, and Nigeria were forced to split the points.

When the referee eventually signed off on the hostilities, the result now keeps South Africa on top of Group C with 17 points, while Nigeria are in third place with 11 points. In contrast, the Benin Republic, with 14 points, are placed second in the group after walloping Lesotho by 4-0 in their qualifying face-off.

For now, all eyes are on the final round of group qualifiers scheduled for October, with South Africa facing Zimbabwe on the 6th before rounding off against Rwanda on the 13th.

Also running parallel is Nigeria’s campaign with the Super Eagles meeting Lesotho on 6 October and then wrapping up their fixtures against the Benin Republic a week later.