The Super Eagles of Nigeria are gearing up to face South Africa’s Bafana Bafana in a crucial 2026 World Cup qualifier match at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium on Friday.
This match is pivotal for both teams as they compete for the top spot in Group C. Nigeria, currently third in the FIFA World Cup African qualifiers table, is seeking a victory that would propel them to the top of the group ahead of their next match against Benin Republic.
The Super Eagles have drawn their first two games, both ending 1-1 against Lesotho and Zimbabwe, putting them in a tight spot against second-placed South Africa.
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Historically, Nigeria has dominated this rivalry, winning seven of their last 14 meetings, drawing five, and losing only twice to South Africa. The Super Eagles also recently triumphed over South Africa in a penalty shootout during the semi-finals of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) before losing to Ivory Coast in the final.
Nigeria will be without key player Victor Osimhen, who has been sidelined for four weeks due to injury. However, the team welcomes back Victor Boniface, who missed the 2023 AFCON tournament. The new head coach, Finidi George, will be keen to leverage Boniface’s return to bolster the squad.
South Africa, led by head coach Hugo Broos, is determined to exact revenge for their AFCON semi-final exit. Bafana Bafana, currently second in Group C and one point ahead of Nigeria, will rely heavily on their talisman, Percy Tau, to deliver a strong performance.
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A win for Nigeria will see them rise to the top of the Group C table, putting them in a strong position ahead of their next qualifier against the Benin Republic.
Conversely, a victory for South Africa would extend their lead over Nigeria to four points and solidify their position at the top of the group.
Adding to the intrigue, Nigeria’s dominance in this fixture means South Africa has not defeated Nigeria in their last three encounters, with their most recent meeting at AFCON ending in a draw. The Super Eagles will aim to continue this trend, while South Africa is eager to break its winless streak against Nigeria.
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**Match Details:**
**Date:** Friday, June 7, 2024
**Time:** 8 p.m. Nigerian time
Venue: Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo, Nigeria
**Broadcast:** DSTV and the official YouTube channel of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF)