Nigeria clash with South Africa in a decisive 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier as the Super Eagles look to revive their chances of reaching next year’s finals in North America.
The three-time African champions sit third in Group C with 10 points, six adrift of unbeaten leaders South Africa.
Victory at Free State Stadium would keep Nigeria’s hopes alive of securing automatic qualification, or at least strengthen their chances of claiming a playoff spot as one of the best runners-up.
Group C standings
South Africa: 16 points (+8 GD)
Benin: 11 points (0 GD)
Nigeria: 10 points (+2 GD)
Rwanda: 8 points (-1 GD)
Lesotho: 6 points (-4 GD)
Zimbabwe: 4 points (-5 GD)
Only the nine group winners qualify automatically for the 2026 World Cup, while the four best runners-up across Africa will contest intercontinental playoffs for a possible tenth African place.
Team news: South Africa
Coach Hugo Broos will be without defenders Nyiko Mobbie and Thabo Brendon Moloisane after both picked up injuries against Lesotho. Kaizer Chiefs full-back Thabiso Monyane has been drafted in as cover.
Bafana Bafana of South Africa. Photo Credit: X
Burnley forward Lyle Foster, who scored and assisted in the 3-0 win over Lesotho, is expected to spearhead the attack once again.
Team news: Nigeria
Nigeria coach Eric Chelle has to contend with the absence of Victor Osimhen. The Galatasaray striker, considered the Super Eagles’ biggest attacking weapon, was ruled out after suffering a chin injury in the win against Rwanda.
Tolu Arokodare celebrating his first competitive goal for the Super Eagles against Rwanda in Uyo. Photo Credit: The Athletic Images
His absence is likely to hand Tolu Arokodare a starting role up front. Cyriel Dessers and Samuel Chukwueze also provide options, while Ademola Lookman, Moses Simon and Alex Iwobi are expected to feature in advanced roles.
Possible starting line-ups
South Africa: Williams (GK); Mdunyelwa, Ndamane, Monyane, Modiba; Mokoena, Mbatha; Nkota, Mbule, Appollis; Foster
Nigeria: Nwabali (GK); Aina, Frederick, Bassey, Onyemaechi; Onyedika, Ndidi, Iwobi; Simon; Lookman, Arokodare
Head-to-head record
Nigeria and South Africa have met 13 times since 2004. The Super Eagles have won six, South Africa just once, with the remaining six ending in draws.
CLICK HERE TO JOIN THE ATHLETIC NG WHATSAPP CHANNEL
The last competitive meeting in Bloemfontein came during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, when Nigeria secured a 2-1 victory.
Form guide
South Africa: W-W-W-W-W
Nigeria: D-W-D-D-W
When did South Africa last qualify for a World Cup?
South Africa have appeared in three FIFA World Cup finals: 1998, 2002 and 2010.
The last time the Bafana Bafana qualified through the CAF qualifiers was in 2002. In 2010, they participated as automatic hosts.
Nigeria’s World Cup record
Nigeria have reached six FIFA World Cup finals but missed out on the most recent edition in Qatar in 2022.
The Super Eagles’ best performance remains reaching the round of 16 on three occasions: 1994, 1998 and 2014.
Nigeria’s hopes of automatic qualification rest on winning all their remaining matches.
They must defeat leaders South Africa on Matchday 8, then secure further victories against Lesotho and Benin. At the same time, South Africa would need to drop points in one of their last two fixtures.
Photo Credit: Getty Images
If both sides finish tied on 19 points, goal difference will determine the group winner. If still level, the head-to-head record will come into play.
Should Nigeria finish second in Group C, they could still advance via the playoff route, reserved for the four best runners-up. The winners of that series will contest an intercontinental playoff for a potential 10th African place at the finals.
How many African teams will qualify?
For the 2026 World Cup, African qualification is arranged into nine groups of six.
The nine group winners qualify directly. The four best runners-up will contest a semifinal and final playoff.
READ MORE:aruna-quadri-table-tennis-icon-decries-neglect-by-nigerian-government
The playoff winner advances to the intercontinental playoff for a possible additional African spot.
Of the nine groups, only Morocco have already secured their place at the finals in North America.
CAF qualification calendar:
First round: November 2023 – October 2025 (group stage featuring 54 teams)
Second round: November 2025 (semifinals and final for best runners-up)
Intercontinental playoff: Early 2026
Match details
Match: South Africa v Nigeria
Competition: CAF 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifier
Venue: Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein
Date: Tuesday, 9 September 2025
Kick-off: 18:00 local time (16:00 GMT)
