Olaleye Idowu
The stage is set for a must-win clash between Nigeria and South Africa in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier.
The World Cup qualifier between the teams will take place at the Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein on Tuesday evening.
The Super Eagles head to the game after beating Rwanda 1-0 in their last game, while the Bafana Bafana defeated Lesotho 3-0.
The reverse fixture ended in a 1-1 draw at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium last year.
Urban Express News reports that South Africa currently sits on top of Group C with 16 points from seven games, while Nigeria are in third position with 10 points from the same number of games, ahead of the likes of Rwanda, Lesotho and Zimbabwe.
Eric Chelle’s side is also behind second position Benin Republic, who have 11 points from seven games.
But there have been calls for FIFA and CAF to deduct three points from South Africa for fielding an ineligible player, Teboho Mokoena, in their World Cup qualifier against Lesotho earlier this year.
Recall that Mokoena featured against Lesotho in March despite picking up two yellow cards in previous qualifiers as Bafana Bafana won 2-0.
Lesotho eventually lodged an official protest, but FIFA has yet to announce their verdict regarding the situation.
Sunday Oliseh, who is a member of FIFA’s Technical Group, hinted that “South Africa is in trouble” as FIFA and CAF could deduct three points from Hugo Broos’ men and award it to Lesotho.
with three matches remaining to be played, the Super Eagles trail South Africa by six points going into the match-day eight fixture.
A three-point for Nigeria will keep their World Cup hope alive, while a win for South Africa will extend their lead at the top of Group C.
Nigeria will be without their top striker, Victor Osimhen, who sustained an injury against Rwanda.
South Africa, meanwhile, will be without first-team defenders Nyiko Mobbie and Thabo Brendon Moloisane after both were injured against Lesotho last Friday.
Urban Express News reports that Nigeria and South Africa are aware of the significance of Tuesday’s match.
A win for either team could be a decisive step towards 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification.
Saheed Afolabi, who works at Clear TV, said the game is a must-win for both teams in their quest to secure a 2026 World Cup ticket.
“The game between Nigeria and South Africa is a must-win encounter for both sides on their journey to qualify for the FIFA World Cup.
“Nigeria, on one hand, needs the win to cut the point gap between the Bafana Bafana and the Super Eagles from six to three points, while South Africa also needs a win to extend their lead at the top of the table.
“The Super Eagles are capable of beating Bafana Bafana on their home soil, but previous meetings between both sides recently always ended up in a draw.
“The last time Nigeria defeated South Africa was at the 2023 AFCON in the Ivory Coast, where the Eagles had to seal their place at the final of the Africa Continental showpiece through the lottery of a penalty shootout.
