South Africa vs Nigeria: Draw edges Bafana closer to World Cup finals. Image: News24.
(The Post News)- Bafana Bafana were held to a tense 1-1 draw by Nigeria in Bloemfontein on Tuesday night at Toyota Stadium. Their path to the 2026 FIFA World Cup remains firmly in their control.
The result keeps South Africa at the top of Group C with 17 points from eight matches. Nigeria, meanwhile, climbed to second place on 11 points but remains an outsider for direct qualification.
Bafana coach Hugo Broos said he was pleased with the performance but disappointed his team did not finish the job. “We played with confidence and created chances, but we must be more clinical. Still, the important thing is that qualification is in our own hands,” Broos said.
The Free State Stadium crowd was in full voice as Bafana settled quickly. Winger Oswin Appollis tested Nigeria goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali with a fierce early strike. Nigeria’s problems worsened 10 minutes later when defender Ola Aina limped off after a challenge from Samukele Kabini.
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South Africa opened the scoring in the 25th minute when Nigeria captain William Troost-Ekong turned the ball into his own net while trying to clear a dangerous cross from Mohau Nkota. Nigeria coach Eric Chelle praised his side’s resilience but admitted they are under pressure. “It was not an easy game in front of a passionate crowd, but my players fought back. We know qualification will be very difficult now, but we won’t give up,” Chelle stated.
The second half was fiercely contested, with tempers going up at times. The referee was even forced to call both benches together to calm tensions. Broos had made four changes, recalling Siyabonga Ngezana to strengthen the defense alongside teenage sensation Mbekezeli Mbokazi. In midfield, Bathusi Aubaas partnered Teboho Mokoena, while the attacking quartet of Nkota, Mbule, Appollis, and Foster remained unchanged.
With Zimbabwe up next, Bafana captain Ronwen Williams urged focus. “We know what is at stake. The draw tonight keeps us on top, but we want to finish the job against Zimbabwe in front of our fans,” Williams said.
South Africa now needs just one more win to seal their place at the World Cup in the United States, Mexico, and Canada in 2026.
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