Big blow for Nigeria after draw vs S’Africa in crucial W’Cup qualifier

The Super Eagles of Nigeria played a 1-1 draw against the Bafana Bafana of South Africa in a crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier on Tuesday evening.

Nigeria now has five draws from eight games in the qualifiers, losing one and winning only two, keeping them on 11 points in Group C.

The Eagles, led by coach Eric Chelle, needed a straight win against the hosts to keep their hopes much stronger of reaching the finals in North America.

But a 25th-minute own goal by captain William Troost-Ekong forced Nigeria to trail before Calvin Bassey rescued a point with a scrappy late-first-half header.

It was an incredible play by Bassey who started the run that ended up in the net. He however headed the ball to his left hand into the net, but there was no VAR for the game.

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With the results, the Eagles leapfrog Benin Republic to sit second in the group with a better goal difference, but six points behind leaders and favourites South Africa.

As it stands, Hugo Broos South Africa only needs one point from a possible six to book an automatic ticket to the 2026 World Cup.

Nigeria’s hopes currently lie on the other route of qualification as the four best second-placed teams in the African qualifying will also fight for spots against opponents from other continents.

The Super Eagles will be back for matchday 9 and 10 in October where they will take on Lesotho and Benin Republic.