South Africa’s clash with Nigeria in Bloemfontein on Tuesday is the 18th time the two continental superpowers go up against each other in a rivalry that dates back 33 years now. Catch the action live on SuperSport.
Nigeria enjoy a substantively better record, having won eight times over South Africa previously, while losing twice. There have been seven draws, including the last two meetings between the two countries.
But Bafana have a single loss to their great rivals in the last eight meetings and another draw on Tuesday would do nicely in their bid to reach the World Cup finals.
This is SuperSport.com’s guide to the past meetings:
October 1992: Nigeria 4 South Africa 0
A naïve South Africa could have lost by eight goals, so were they outclassed at Lagos’ Surelere Stadium in their first-ever World Cup qualifier.
January 1993: South Africa 0 Nigeria 0
A back pass from Lucas Radebe to goalkeeper Steve Crowley was intercepted by Rachidi Yekini, who netted but was inexplicably ruled offside to ensure one point each, but the Super Eagles would go on and qualify for their first-ever World Cup in the USA.
February 2000: Nigeria 2 South Africa 0
The Cup of Nations semifinal in Lagos saw the Super Eagles score in the first minute through Tijani Babangida, who then added a second just past the half-hour mark to effectively end the contest.
January 2004: Nigeria 4 South Africa 0
A thumping in Monastir, Tunisia, in the group phase of the Cup of Nations finals, as Joseph Yobo scored early before Austin Okocha doubled the score with a 64th-minute penalty, and substitute Peter Odemwingie rubbed salt into South African wounds with two goals in two minutes near the end.
November 2004: South Africa 2 Nigeria 1
A first South Africa win over Nigeria came in a friendly international at Ellis Park, as Shaun Bartlett scored midway through the first half and Benedict Vilakazi added a second on the hour mark before Stephen Makinwa pulled one back.
June 2008: Nigeria 2 South Africa 0
The match in Abuja saw Ikechukwu Uche and Obinna Nwaneri scoring in the first half in the 2010 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
September 2008: South Africa 0 Nigeria 1
Bafana, then coached by Brazilian Joel Santana, bombed out of the 2010 Cup of Nations qualifiers with a loss at the Boet Erasmus Stadium in Port Elizabeth as Uche scored with 20 minutes left.
August 2013: South Africa 0 Nigeria 2
Uche Nwafor scored both goals in the second half in a friendly at the Moses Mabhida Stadium just months after the Super Eagles had won the Cup of Nations on South African soil.
January 2014: South Africa 1 Nigeria 3
Group match at the African Nations Championship in Cape Town with Nigeria 3-0 up with two goals from Ejike Uzoenyi and a penalty converted by Ifeanyi Ede before Bernard Parker pulled one back from the spot in the last 10 minutes.
September 2014: South Africa 0 Nigeria 0
A clash in the 2015 Cup of Nations qualifiers in Cape Town, where Tokelo Rantie should have scored for Bafana when he broke behind the Super Eagles defence late in the game and was left with just the keeper to beat, but was thwarted by Austin Ejide.
November 2014: Nigeria 2 South Africa 2
Bafana had already secured a place at the 2015 Cup of Nations finals, but Nigeria needed a win to join them. Two goals in quick succession from Rantie left the Super Eagles scrambling, and even though they drew, they were eliminated.
March 2015: South Africa 1 Nigeria 1
A friendly at the Mbombela Stadium with Daniel Amokachi taking temporary charge of Nigeria saw the visitors take an 85th-minute lead through Ahmed Musa, but Bongani Zungu rescued home pride in the last minute of the game.
June 2017: Nigeria 0 South Africa 2
Bafana’s only ever win in Nigeria was a dream start to Stuart Baxter’s return as coach. Rantie’s breakaway goal and a similar effort from Percy Tau in the second half saw Bafana win 2-0 in the opening 2019 Cup of Nations qualifying game.
November 2018: South Africa 1 Nigeria 1
A win would have ensured Bafana went through to the Cup of Nations finals, along with Nigeria, but an own goal after nine minutes had Nigeria ahead. Bafana equalised through Lebogang Mothiba in the 25th minute.
June 2019: Nigeria 2 South Africa 1
Samuel Chukwueze scored first, but Zungu equalised with 20 minutes to go in the Cup of Nations quarterfinal in Cairo. Ronwen Williams’ mistake allowed William Troost-Ekong to secure Nigeria a semifinal place.
February 2024: Nigeria 1 South Africa 1
South Africa fell behind to Troost-Ekong’s penalty midway through the first half in Bouake in this Cup of Nations semifinal, but Teboho Mokoena equalised from the spot on 90 minutes. The tie went to spot-kicks, and Nigeria held their nerve to win 4-2 as Mokoena and Evidence Makgopa missed from 12 yards.
June 2024: Nigeria 1 South Africa 1
Themba Zwane’s stunning effort gave South Africa a deserved lead, but the home side equalised inside the first minute of the second half through Oluwafisayo Dele-Bashiru in this World Cup qualifier.