South Africa Holds Nigeria to Draw in Crucial 2026 World Cup Qualifier
- The closing fixtures of Friday, June 7's matchday III FIFA world cup qualifier in Uyo saw interesting moments in Group C
- It was an evenly balanced encounter where the Super Eagles came from behind to salvage a point against South Africa as Group C remains wide open
- Legit.ng reports that the entertaining affair which was a repeat of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2023 semi-final saw the teams share the spoils at a packed Godswill Akpabio Stadium
Legit.ng journalist Ridwan Adeola Yusuf has over 9 years of experience covering sports and football worldwide.
Uyo, Akwa Ibom state - Fisayo Dele-Bashiru scored for Nigeria early in the second half to cancel out Themba Zwane's first-half goal for South Africa in a 2026 FIFA world cup qualifying game in Uyo, Akwa Ibom state, on Friday night, June 7.
Bafana Bafana took the game to the Super Eagles in the first half and deservedly took the lead after a brilliant team move.
Source: Getty Images
But Dele-Bashiru — who later went out apparently injured — netted and ensured Nigeria did not lose the home game.
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Nigeria remain winless after three games of the 2026 world cup qualifiers. The Eagles drew Lesotho and Zimbabwe in 2023.
The visitors had a bright start in the first half and threatened to catch Nigeria on the break early, clipping the crossbar with Tehobo Mokoena's free-kick. Nothing could stop Themba Zwane just before the half-hour mark though, as he danced beyond three challenges before rifling the ball into the bottom corner for 1-0.
Khuliso Mudau and Elias Mokwana both missed chances to make it 2-0 before half-time, and Bafana Bafana were soon ruing those opportunities as Dele-Bashiru brilliantly turned on the edge of the box to slam in Nigeria's equaliser just 37 seconds after the restart.
The second half became littered with chances at both ends; Nigeria having the better chances, but seeing South Africa goalkeeper Ronwen Williams and his woodwork deny some efforts from Bright Osayi-Samuel, Samu Chukwueze, Ademola Lookman and Terem Moffi late on.
Legit.ng reports that the Super Eagles, who previously appeared at a FIFA world cup in 1994, 1998, 2002, 2010, 2014, and 2018, will next play the Republic of Benin away on Monday, June 10, 2024.
Sportscaster unimpressed with Super Eagles
Analysing the match, Chidiebere Anugwolu, a former sportscaster with Nigeria Info FM, said Nigeria played poorly.
Although he stated that he would not blame Coach Finidi George for how Nigeria played, Anugwolu faulted the tactician on his lineup.
He told Legit.ng:
"He (Finidi) should have played Victor Boniface, especially in the second half.
"Then, is it really hard for a Super Eagles coach to start Boniface and Terem Moffi? I always thought that would be more proficient."
Read more on Nigeria vs South Africa
- Nigeria vs South Africa: Date, time, other details about 2026 world cup qualifier
- Nigeria vs South Africa: List of all 23 Super Eagles players in camp for 2026 world cup qualifier
- Nigeria vs South Africa: Super Eagles' position in Group C 2026 world cup qualification emerges
South Africa's coach names Super Eagles' dangerman
Legit.ng earlier reported that South Africa head coach Hugo Broos said Ademola Lookman is Nigeria's "dangerman".
The former Cameroon trainer did not mention Victor Boniface, the Bayer Leverkusen star, as Nigeria's dangerman.
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Source: Legit.ng
