Nigeria’s Super Eagles battled bravely to improve their 2026 World Cup qualification chances but could only leave South Africa with a point this Tuesday evening, September 9, 2025.

From the outset, the hosts, runaway table toppers in the group and desperate to seal qualification on the evening, did everything in the book to frustrate the Super Eagles. From taking the match to a scrappy stadium pitch in Bloemfontein, to hard tackles and frivolous falls, it was obvious that the South Africans had nothing but negative match tactics in the bag.

The first casualty was strong defender Ola Aina, who departed early due to injury.

It got worse for Nigeria 25 minutes into the match when skipper William Troost-Ekong whipped the ball past goalie Stanley Nwabasi for an own goal.

The fourth-placed Eagles, who went into the match with 10 points as against South Africa’s 16, battled bravely and were rewarded with the equaliser following Calvin Bassey’s fierce header shortly before half time.

With the draw, South Africa remain on course to qualify while Nigeria’s hopes continue to hang on a thread.