2026 WC Qualifier: Super Eagles continue search for first win following 1-1 draw against South Africa
Nigeria’s Super Eagles will continue the search for their first win of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers following a 1-1 draw against South Africa’s Bafana Bafana at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium Uyo, Akwa Ibom.
It is Nigeria’s third consecutive draw in the qualifiers. They sit fifth in Group C with three points, a point adrift of South Africa, Benin Republic, Rwanda, and two points adrift of group leaders Lesotho.
Like in the previous three games, Nigeria fell behind. In the 29th minute, forward Themba Zwane gave South Africa the lead following a nice combination of well-calculated passes by the visitors. Zwane finished the move with a low shot inside the box.
Meanwhile, less than 60 seconds after the halftime break, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru equalised for Nigeria. Alex Iwobi laid a pass to Fisayo, who fended off pressure from South African defenders before firing a right-footed shot from the centre of the box past Ronwen Williams.
In the 75th minute, substitute Samuel Chukwueze was very close to putting Nigeria ahead, but his effort struck the crossbar.
Nigeria had a chance to steal the win inside added time as Terem Moffi found the ball in his feet with only the goalkeeper to deal with, but the Nice forward was not quick to react, leaving Williams to secure the ball.
Nigeria will face Benin Republic on Monday in their next match at the Félix Houphouët-Boigny Stadium in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, Benin’s adopted home ground.
