Nigeria's World Cup Dreams Suffer as Super Eagles Draw with South Africa
Calvin Bassey's goal helped Nigeria earn a 1-1 draw against South Africa, but the Super Eagles still need to secure wins in their remaining matches to boost their World Cup qualification chances.
Nigeria faced an early setback when Ola Aina was forced to leave the game injured in the 10th minute...
Nigeria's chances of securing a spot in the 2026 FIFA World Cup took a blow after the Super Eagles drew 1-1 with South Africa at the Free State Stadium. This result complicates Nigeria's path to automatic qualification.
The Super Eagles had reignited their hopes with a hard-fought win over Rwanda but needed a victory against South Africa to maintain strong contention for an automatic spot. Despite their spirited display, Nigeria couldn't overcome South Africa, even without star player Victor Osimhen, who was injured.
Nigeria faced an early setback when Ola Aina was forced to leave the game injured in the 10th minute, being replaced by Bright Osayi-Samuel. This disruption seemed to affect Nigeria's rhythm, allowing South Africa to gain momentum.
Fueled by the home crowd's support, South Africa showed increased sharpness in the opening half-hour. Wingers Mohau Nkota and Oswin Appollis posed a constant threat to Nigeria's defense with their pace and runs behind. Their pressure paid off in the 25th minute when Nkota's low cross was inadvertently turned into an own goal by Nigeria's captain, William Troost-Ekong.
The Super Eagles showed remarkable resilience, pushing forward relentlessly after falling behind. Their persistence finally paid off in the 44th minute when Calvin Bassey scored a header from close range, leveling the score at 1-1. Fisayo Dele-Bashiru's precise cross from the right flank set up the equalizer, sending both teams into the break with a sense of renewed energy and hope.
Bassey's goal was met with controversy, as replays suggested the ball might have struck his arm before crossing the line. However, with no VAR available, the goal stood, giving Nigeria a much-needed boost going into halftime. The equalizer not only silenced the home crowd but also lifted the spirits of the Super Eagles, who continued to push for a winner in the second half.
Coach Eric Chelle made two strategic substitutions at the start of the second half, introducing Bruno Onyemaechi and Tolu Arokodare into the game. Arokodare nearly made an immediate impact, firing a shot that narrowly missed the target in the 50th minute, potentially putting Nigeria in the lead.
South Africa's defender Mbekezeli Mbokazi created a scoring opportunity midway through the second half, surging forward in an attacking move. He attempted to lob the ball over Stanley Nwabali, but his effort sailed just over the bar, denying South Africa a chance to regain the lead.
South Africa's coach, Hugo Broos, expressed confidence in his team's ability to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, emphasizing that they are in a good position to secure their spot. He stressed the importance of hard work, confidence, and avoiding complacency. Broos noted that his team has everything in their hands to finish the job and qualify for the World Cup, saying, “We have to be confident and not be afraid of anybody that plays against us.” He also highlighted that they shouldn't rely on others and should focus on their own games to achieve qualification.
“You just have to look at yourself, and I think this is something we have to do here too. We do not have to count on Rwanda, Benin or anyone else (doing us favours) in the group,” he told the media. “We know what we have to do, and we will try to do that, and if we can achieve it, we will qualify for the World Cup.
“I do not look at games and say, ‘Oh this team is playing after us and we played before them’. You just have to focus on your own game, and that is what we will do. What happened before or afterwards, that is not important if we do what we have to do.”
C. Bassss💚
— 🇳🇬 Super Eagles (@NGSuperEagles) September 9, 2025
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Upcoming Matches for Group C Teams
South Africa's Schedule
Group leaders South Africa will conclude their Group C campaigns in October with two crucial matches. Their fixtures include an away match against Zimbabwe and a home match against Rwanda. These games will determine South Africa's final standings in the group.
Nigeria's Schedule
Nigeria will wrap up their Group C campaigns with two matches in October. Their schedule includes an away match against Lesotho and a home match against Benin Republic. These fixtures will be crucial in determining Nigeria's chances of advancing to the next stage of the competition.
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