- Go for victory – High Commissioner Ajayi charges Super Eagles
With Nigerian football followers undoubtedly on edge, Super Eagles’ Captain William Ekong has assured that they will not be lacking in confidence when taking on South Africa’s Bafana Bafana in today’s explosive 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying match taking place in Bloemfontein.
According to Ekong, the Eagles are well prepared for this make or mar showdown and will not be bothered about the South Africans’ impressive performance in the group so far.
Focusing on this encounter, the defender, who was voted Man of the Competition at last year’s Africa Cup of Nations finals in Cote d’Ivoire, said, “We defeated them at the Africa Cup but that is in the past and some changes have been made to both teams since then.
“Our approach will be devoid of arrogance; we will play with level heads and go all out for victory. There will be no arrogance but we will not be diffident either.
“South Africa is a good team that we respect but we just have to go on the pitch and play our game. Our objective has not changed; we want to go to the FIFA World Cup finals next year.”
I’m Putting My Best Men Forward – Chelle
On his part, Coach Eric Chelle has promised to put his best foot forward from the first blast of Gabonese referee Pierre Ghislain Atcho’s whistle at the Toyota Stadium.
In a pre-match interview on Monday, Coach Chelle said, “We have come here (South Africa) to play for the three points, so we will be sending out the team that will get the job done.
“We are happy to have overcome Rwanda but we have to conquer here too in order to be in a good position for the qualification.”
Although Nigeria started the race poorly, Chelle has picked seven points out of nine in his three games with the squad and believes the group he has been working with has the capacity to turn things on its head and leave Bafana Bafana in the ditch.
High Commissioners Ajayi Tasks Eagles On Victory
After Monday’s official training at the Toyota Stadium, Nigeria’s High Commissioner to the Republic of South Africa, His Excellency Tope Ajayi charged the Super Eagles to enact their best game and pluck the three points on the day.
After meeting with the players, Ajayi said, “I have the confidence that we will win, and many South Africans also believe that Nigeria will win. We should go out there and play with gusto, confidence and courage, and refuse to be intimidated by anything.
“When the Super Falcons came here to play the Banyana Banyana, I told them before the game that I could see them returning to the Olympics after 16 years, and they did. Now, I am telling you that I am seeing you at the 2026 FIFA World Cup and it will be so.”
I’ll Give Mbokazi Tough Time – Tolu Arokodare
Meanwhile, Nigeria’s hero and new Wolverhampton Wanderers striker, Tolu Arokodare has expressed his readiness to torment Bafana Bafana and Orlando Pirates’ teenage defender Mbekezeli Mbokazi in today’s World Cup qualifier
Pundits believe their confrontation will be a battle between a proven striker in Europe and a highly-rated defender who is known for his no-nonsense approach in the field of play.
As the 1.97m tall Nigerian striker faces the South Africa’s teenage sensation in their countries’ search for points this night, he is relishing the battle against the diminutive defender in Bloemfontein.
While Mbokazi produced a solid display to help Bafana Bafana keep a clean sheet in their win over Lesotho on Friday, Arokodare netted the winning goal as the Super Eagles edged out Rwanda on Saturday.
Arokodare said, “I have to do my job, my job it’s giving him a tough time and I just think every other defender and goalkeeper and the South African team in general, cause we’re playing against them tomorrow.
“So it’s my job to give every team, every defender tough love that I play, but I also wish him the best. I hope he has a good game, I hope I have a better game, I have to put myself first.”
At the age of 19, Mbokazi has become a key player for Pirates and the stocky defender has been captaining the African giants in the absence of club captain Nkosinathi Sibisi.
The hard-tackling defender, who was named 2024/25 Nedbank Cup Most Promising Player, is now looking to make a name for himself at an international level under Bafana coach Hugo Broos.
But Mbokazi will be up against a tough customer in Arokodare, whose exploits in the Belgian Pro League have earned him a move to Premier League side Wolverhampton Wanderers from Genk.
The towering marksman was the winner of the 2025 Ebony Shoe, awarded to the best African player in Belgium and he has scored in each of his last two games for Nigeria, which were against Rwanda and Russia.
This evening, all eyes are on Bafana and the Super Eagles as the two continental giants collide at the 2010 FIFA World Cup venue, Toyota Stadium.
Kick off is at 18.00 hours (6pm) South Africa local time and 17.00hours (5pm) in Nigeria.
