Nigeria’s bid for direct qualification to the 2026 FIFA World Cup suffered another setback on Tuesday after the Super Eagles were held to a 1-1 draw by South Africa in a tense Group C clash at the Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein.
The result leaves the Bafana Bafana six points clear at the top of the standings, tightening the pressure on Nigeria ahead of their remaining fixtures.
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The Super Eagles endured an early scare when defender Ola Aina limped off in the 10th minute, forcing coach Eric Chelle to reshuffle his backline. South Africa seized the initiative and broke the deadlock in the 25th minute when William Troost-Ekong mistakenly diverted Mohau Nkota’s cross into his own net, sending the home fans into jubilation.
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Despite the setback, Nigeria clawed their way back into the game and found an equaliser just before halftime. In the 44th minute, Calvin Bassey bundled the ball home from close range after a well-worked move down the right involving Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, whose precise cutback created the scoring opportunity.
Coach Chelle introduced Arokodare and Onyemaechi at the restart in a bid to inject fresh attacking spark, and Arokodare nearly gave Nigeria the lead with a close-range effort early in the second half.
However, South Africa responded with their own threats, with Mbekezeli Mbokazi’s long-range strike flashing narrowly wide of the post, keeping the tie delicately poised.
As the game progressed, Nigeria’s intensity began to fade, while South Africa’s substitutes, Thalente Mbatha and Kamogelo Sebelebele, brought renewed energy that forced the Super Eagles deeper into their own half.
Despite late pressure from both sides, neither team could find the decisive goal, and the highly anticipated encounter ended in a stalemate.
With just two matches left to play, Nigeria’s qualification hopes now rest on securing maximum points against Lesotho and Benin in their final fixtures.
Meanwhile, group leaders South Africa will look to seal their place at the 2026 World Cup when they face Zimbabwe away before hosting Rwanda in their concluding games.
