Tuesday night at the Toyota Stadium could decide Nigeria’s World Cup destiny. The Super Eagles sit third in Group C with 10 points, six behind leaders South Africa, and anything less than victory will all but end their chances of reaching the 2026 finals.
Bafana Bafana, meanwhile, are flying. Hugo Broos’s men top the group with 16 points and have been perfect at home during qualification, winning all their games in Bloemfontein. They haven’t lost a competitive home match to Nigeria since 2008, and their fans believe this is the year they break the hoodoo.
For Eric Chelle’s Nigeria, the task is huge. The Super Eagles have already dropped points in four draws and lost once to Benin, leaving them with little margin for error. To make matters worse, Victor Osimhen is out injured. Without their talisman, Nigeria must lean on Ademola Lookman, Moses Simon, and Tolu Arokodare to deliver.South Africa, boosted by Lyle Foster’s form, knows a win could seal their place at the finals for the first time since 2002. The pressure is on Nigeria, but Bafana Bafana smell history.
South Africa vs Nigeria: Key Stats
Head-to-head: South Africa 1 win, Nigeria 6 wins, 6 draws
South Africa unbeaten in last 8 matches in all competitions
South Africa won 6 straight home games in World Cup qualifying
Nigeria unbeaten in 21 of last 23 WC qualifiers
South Africa conceded just 2 goals in 3 home qualifiers
- Leeds kept 25 clean sheets in 46 matches
What to Expect From Both Teams
🇿🇦 South Africa;
Broos’s team are strong, organised, and clinical at home. Lyle Foster has two goals and one assist in the campaign, while Teboho Mokoena keeps the midfield ticking. With the crowd behind them, they’ll back themselves to extend their lead at the top.
🇳🇬 Nigeria🇳🇬 ;
The Super Eagles face this battle without Osimhen, but still have talent in attack. Ademola Lookman is expected to step up, while Tolu Arokodare, Saturday’s match-winner against Rwanda, could be trusted to lead the line. Nigeria’s big question is whether they can finally turn dominance into decisive goals.
Predicted Lineups
South Africa (4-2-3-1)🇿🇦 : Williams; Mdunyelwa, Ndamane, Mbokazi, Modiba; Mokoena, Mbatha; Nkota, Mbule, Appollis; Foster
Nigeria (4-3-1-2): Nwabali; Aina, Fredrick, Bassey, Onyemaechi; Onyedika, Ndidi, Iwobi; Simon; Lookman, Arokodare
Players and Matchups to Watch
🔹 Teboho Mokoena: The midfield anchor who sets the tempo for Bafana Bafana.
🔹 Ademola Lookman: With Osimhen sidelined, Lookman carries the Super Eagles’ creative spark.
🔹 Tolu Arokodare: Scored the winner last time out — can he rise to the occasion again?
🔹 Calvin Bassey: Must hold firm at the back against Foster’s movement and power.
Odds Market on MSport
💵 Nigeria to win: 2.99
💵 Draw: 2.88
💵 Under 2.5 Goals: 1.42
💵 Foster Anytime Goalscorer: 3.10
💵 Lookman Anytime Goalscorer: 3.20
South Africa comes in with confidence, form, and home advantage. Nigeria, without their main man Osimhen, needs Lookman and Arokodare to step up if they are to keep their World Cup hopes alive. For Bafana Bafana, victory brings history closer. For the Super Eagles, defeat could mean the dream ends in Bloemfontein.
