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- Nigeria and South Africa are embroiled in a rivalry in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier Group C
- The Super Eagles and Bafana Bafana have clashed twice in Uyo and Bloemfontein, both of which ended 1-1
- The two counties are set to clash again in another World Cup qualifier organised by FIFA this month
Nigeria and South Africa are set to renew their rivalry in another World Cup qualifier organised by FIFA in September.
Super Eagles and Bafana Bafana have clashed in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier, and nothing could separate the two sides in either match.
Source: Getty Images
The first match at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium ended 1-1, while the second leg at the Free State Stadium ended in the same scoreline.
Six points separate both sides on the CAF qualifying series Group C table, with South Africa leading the table and well placed to qualify for the Mundial.
However, Group C is not decided, with either South Africa, Nigeria, or Benin Republic still in the frame to pick up the automatic ticket.
As noted by CAF Online, the 1-1 draw in Bloemfontein dented Nigeria’s hopes, and it will need a flawless final two matchdays to qualify.
If it happens, the controversy around the possible three-point deduction for fielding Teboho Mokoena against Lesotho could benefit Benin Republic more.
Nigeria to face South Africa in eSports World Cup
Nigeria and South Africa are set to clash again in the 2025 FIFA eSports World Cup qualifier after they were drawn in the same group.
As noted by Konami, 16 African countries will partake in the qualifiers, with only two representing the continent at the World Cup scheduled to be played in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, later this year.
The teams have been drawn into two groups of eight teams each, with only the first-placed teams qualifying for the finals in Saudi Arabia.
Though unlikely to garner much attention like the FIFA World Cup qualifier, the eSports World Cup renews the rivalry between Nigeria and South Africa.
Source: Getty Images
Nigerians are currently firing at every quarter over the state of Bloemfontein pitch which injured Wilfred Ndidi and Ola Aina and the possible points deduction.
SAFA selected the multi-purpose stadium for the match despite the poor condition of the pitch, a move seen by many as a dark art to gain unfair advantage.
However, the major Group C controversy is FIFA’s silence over the possible points deduction for South Africa for fielding an ineligible player against Lesotho.
The points deduction could bring Nigeria into the mix for an automatic ticket, which at this point is unlikely with two matches left to play.
Nigerian journalist writes to FIFA
Legit.ng reported that Nigerian journalist Osasu Obayiuwana wrote to FIFA over the delay in penalising South Africa for the technical gaffe on matchday five.
The Court of Arbitration for Sports recently upheld FIFA’s six-point penalty on Equatorial Guinea for fielding the ineligible Emilio Nsue, setting a precedent for the case.
Source: Legit.ng
