Nigeria’s faltering bid for a place at the 2026 FIFA World Cup faces another stern test on Tuesday as the Super Eagles visit South Africa at the Toyota Stadium in Bloemfontein.
With only three games left, the visitors sit six points adrift of Bafana Bafana and must avoid defeat to keep their campaign alive.
South Africa – Fortress at Home
Bafana Bafana have turned Bloemfontein into a stronghold, winning all three of their home qualifiers so far.
Hugo Broos’s men have scored at least twice in every match on their own turf, dispatching Benin, Zimbabwe, and Lesotho with relative comfort.
Their advantage over Nigeria comes not just from results but also consistency, as they’ve kept pace at the top and look set for a return to the World Cup finals for the first time since 2002.
Nigeria – Struggling for Consistency
The Super Eagles arrive in Bloemfontein knowing anything less than victory could end their automatic qualification hopes.
Eric Chelle’s side have drawn four of their seven matches, and their inability to convert dominance into decisive wins has cost them valuable ground.
With Victor Osimhen sidelined, they will look to Ademola Lookman, Moses Simon, and Saturday’s matchwinner Tolu Arokodare to inspire them in front of goal.
Team News
Hugo Broos may have to reshuffle his backline after Nyiko Mobbie and Thabo Brendon Moloisane picked up injuries in the win over Lesotho. Lyle Foster, fresh from a goal and assist, will again spearhead the attack, aiming to add to his tally against Nigeria.
For the visitors, the absence of Osimhen is a major blow. Arokodare’s decisive strike against Rwanda has put him in contention to start, though Cyriel Dessers is also an option. Midfield balance remains a concern, with Fisayo Dele-Bashiru and Raphael Onyedika pushing for inclusion after Frank Onyeka’s subdued display last time out.
Predicted Lineups
South Africa:
Williams; Mdunyelwa, Ndamane, Mbokazi, Modiba; Mokoena, Mbatha; Nkota, Mbule, Appollis; Foster
Nigeria:
Nwabali; Aina, Fredrick, Bassey, Onyemaechi; Onyedika, Ndidi, Iwobi; Simon; Lookman, Arokodare
Match Info
Kickoff: 5pm (Nigerian Time)
Venue: Toyota Stadium, Bloemfontein, South Africa
Match Official: Pierre Ghislain Atcho (Gambia)
What’s at Stake
For South Africa, victory could all but seal their place at the 2026 World Cup, extending their lead at the top of Group C and maintaining a flawless home record.
For Nigeria, the stakes are stark: defeat would almost certainly confirm back-to-back failures to qualify for the global finals, while even a draw may not be enough given their poor standing among potential second-placed teams.
With their margin for error gone, only a win will keep the Super Eagles’ fading dream alive.
