Super Eagles' World Cup Qualification Hopes Hang in Balance After 3 Draws

Nigeria's Super Eagles held to 1-1 draw by South Africa in 2026 World Cup qualifiers, leaving them in fifth place in Group C with three points from three games.

The Super Eagles of Nigeria were forced to settle for a 1-1 draw against fierce rivals South Africa on Friday at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State. The result leaves the Eagles in fifth place in Group C with three points from three games, making their 2026 World Cup qualification hopes uncertain.

Nigeria started brightly, with Ademola Lookman's effort in the eighth minute going over the crossbar. However, South Africa countered with a long ball in the tenth minute, but goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali easily recovered to avoid danger.

Themba Zwane's goal in the 31st minute put Bafana Bafana ahead, but Fisayo Dele-Bashiru's equalizer in the 46th minute gave the Eagles a point. The home crowd was relieved when Percy Tau's free-kick struck the Nigerian bar in the 16th minute.

The Nigerians had their moments, with Semi Ajayi's powerful effort from outside the area going wide in the 40th minute. Paul Onuachu's attempt from an inch-perfect pass from Ademola Lookman was safely collected by South African goalkeeper Ronwen Williams.

The Super Eagles coach, Stephen Keshi, who passed away on June 7, 2018, was remembered with a minute of silence as Bafana Bafana went into halftime with a slim advantage. Shortly after the restart, midfielder Fisayo Dele-Bashiru scored the equalizer off an assist from Alex Iwobi, setting off wild celebrations among the Uyo spectators.

The Eagles relentlessly hunted a winning goal with five minutes of added time remaining in the game. They applied pressure to the South African defence, forcing goalkeeper Williams into an incredible save from a curled effort by Lookman in the 91st minute. Moffi's goal-bound shot was cleared by the alert goalkeeper once more, leaving the Eagles with a point from the match.