The Nigerian national football team, known as the Super Eagles, is gearing up to take on South Africa’s Bafana Bafana in a vital 2026 World Cup qualifying match scheduled to be held at the prestigious Godswill Akpabio International Stadium this Friday.
This game holds immense significance for both sides as they strive to claim the leading position in Group C. Nigeria, presently occupying the third spot in the FIFA World Cup African qualifiers standings, is aiming for a triumph that could propel them to the summit of the group standings prior to their upcoming clash against Benin Republic.
The Super Eagles have encountered two consecutive draws in their initial matches, each concluding with a score of 1-1 against Lesotho and Zimbabwe, intensifying the competition with the second-placed South Africa.
A saga of rivalry exists between the Super Eagles and Bafana Bafana, with Nigeria historically dominating the encounters. Out of their previous 14 matchups, Nigeria emerged victorious in seven instances, while drawing five, whereas South Africa managed a mere two triumphs.
On the team front, Nigeria will have to navigate without the services of key player Victor Osimhen, sidelined for a period of four weeks due to injury. However, the return of Victor Boniface, absent during the 2023 AFCON tournament, boosts the team’s morale. The newly appointed head coach, Finidi George, seeks to capitalize on Boniface’s comeback to fortify the squad.
Contrastingly, South Africa, under the guidance of head coach Hugo Broos, is determined to avenge their AFCON semi-final defeat. Occupying the second spot in Group C, one point ahead of Nigeria, the Bafana Bafana place their hopes on their star player, Percy Tau, to deliver a stellar performance.
The outcome of the match holds immense implications. A victory for Nigeria would propel them to the top of Group C, placing them in a favorable position for the subsequent qualifier against Benin Republic. Conversely, a triumph for South Africa would widen the gap to four points, consolidating their lead at the pinnacle of the group.
Nigeria’s unparalleled dominance in past encounters adds an element of suspense. South Africa has failed to overcome Nigeria in their recent three showdowns, with the most recent meeting during AFCON culminating in a draw. The Super Eagles aim to sustain this trend, while South Africa is eager to end their winless streak against Nigeria.
The match, scheduled for Friday, July 7, 2024, will kick off at 8 pm Nigerian time at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo, Nigeria. The broadcast of the match will be available on DSTV and the official YouTube channel of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).
