By Ben Efe 9.9.2025
Nigeria’s Super Eagles did all the scoring in Tuesday’s night 1-1 draw against South Africa’s Bafana Bafana in their much-hyped World Cup qualifiers clash at the Toyota Stadium in Bloemfontein.
South Africa needed a win to book their ticket for the 2026 World Cup in the USA, Canada and Mexico, but despite their early dominance of the match, it was an error by captain William Trost Ekong that gave them the lead when turned the ball into his own net in the 27th minute. But that lead was cancelled just before the break by a thumping flying header by Calvin Bassey who connected well with cross floated in by Bright Osayi Samuel who had replaced injured Ola Aina.
The second was a feisty affair as both sides looked for the winning goal, Bafana Bafana roared on by fans missed a couple of chances as the Super Eagles were contended to avoid any more slips.
Bafana Bafana remain top of the group and still hold all the aces since FIFA indicted, they would not deduct any point from them for fielding a two-yellow card Teboho Mokoena in their match against Lesotho back in March.
The Super Eagles would now be chasing second place finish with Benin Republic Cheetahs and Rwanda’s Amavubi who beat Lesotho 1-0 on Tuesday. With two more games to go in October, South African can afford to draw in their games against Zimbabwe and Rwanda, while Nigeria playing away to Lesotho need to win that game and also beat Benin Republic and hope for Rwandan slip.
Bright Osayi Samuel battles Oswin Appollis