South Africa and Nigeria are set for a mammoth clash as they meet in a Fifa World Cup qualifier at the Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein on Tuesday.
Kick-off is at 6pm CAT, live on SuperSport.
CURRENT FORM
South Africa kept their spot at the top of group C with a dominant 3-0 victory over Lesotho at the Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein on Friday.
Mohau Nkota netted the first goal with a beautiful strike in the 15th minute before Lyle Foster bagged the second in the 63rd minute and assisted Oswin Appolis for the third just four minutes later.
Bafana Bafana have earned 16 points from their seven games and have now won each of their last four qualifiers.
South Africa scored first in the two sides’ 1-1 draw in June last year and will be looking to do the same on Tuesday.
Should Bafana Bafana win and Benin fail to win their fixture against Lesotho on the same day, South Africa will be heading to the biggest stage for the first time since 2010. However, this is provided they are not docked the three points earned from playing the suspended Teboho Mokoena against Lesotho in March.
Ahead of South Africa 🆚 Nigeria, Shaun Bartlett shares his perspective on the rivalry.#SSFootball | #WCQ pic.twitter.com/bKgBsNzoqs
— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) September 7, 2025
Nigeria secured a 1-0 victory over Rwanda at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo on Saturday, thanks to Tolu Arokodare’s 51st minute goal.
The Super Eagles moved to third in the group with 10 points, overtaking Rwanda and sitting behind second-place Benin by one point.
Their qualifying campaign has been disappointing, with the nation only securing its second victory in seven games on Saturday. Nigeria have drawn four and lost one of their other fixtures.
The Super Eagles will hope to capitalise on the spark ignited against Rwanda and claim a tough away win against the group leaders, spoiling their party.
TEAM NEWS
Thabiso Monyane joined the Bafana Bafana camp on Saturday after Nyiko Mobbie was injured just six minutes into South Africa’s win against Lesotho on Friday.
The Super Eagles suffered a heavy blow against Rwanda as their star striker Victor Osimhen was replaced in the 35th minute due to an ankle injury. He did not travel with the squad to Bloemfontein.
WHAT WAS SAID
Bafana Bafana centre forward Lyle Foster believes that the pressure is on Nigeria, not South Africa.
“I don’t necessarily think there’s pressure on us. I think at the moment we are where we are in the group and that’s a positive,” Foster said.
“I think pressure is on the guys who are trying to get to us, but that doesn’t mean we should take our foot off the gas or take our foot off the pedal.
“I think that we should just have the same mentality still and keep steady, keep playing game by game, staying humble and just like I said, taking the game as it comes.”
PLAYERS TO WATCH
South Africa - Mohau Nkota: 20-year-old Mohau Nkota stood out for Bafana Bafana on Friday. The youngster bagged his first goal for South Africa in just his third appearance. His pace and attacking threat will be tough for Nigeria to contain.
Nigeria - Alex Iwobi: Now a veteran with the Super Eagles, Iwobi provided the assist to Fisayo Dele-Bashiru 46th minute equalizer the last time the two sides met. The Premier League star will be looking to make an impact for his side once again.
HEAD-TO-HEAD (last five fixtures)
South Africa wins: 1
Nigeria wins: 1
Draws: 3