In a gripping 2026 World Cup qualifier held Tuesday evening at Toyota Stadium in Bloemfontein, South Africa and Nigeria battled to a thrilling 1-1 stalemate.
This outcome keeps South Africa perched atop the group with 17 points, while Nigeria holds second place with 11 points.
The encounter kicked off at a brisk pace, with both squads determined to claim crucial points. South Africa, riding a strong streak of five victories, one draw, and a single defeat in the qualifiers, aimed to leverage their home turf advantage. Conversely, Nigeria, grappling with a less consistent form of two wins, four draws, and one loss, was eager to regain momentum in their quest for World Cup 2026 qualification.
The first breakthrough arrived in the 25th minute when Nigerian defender William Troost-Ekong inadvertently scored an own goal, handing South Africa an unexpected lead. The home supporters erupted in jubilation, anticipating their team to extend the advantage.
Nonetheless, Nigeria mounted a swift comeback. Just before halftime, in the 45th minute, Calvin Bassey equalized with a precise finish after South Africa’s defense faltered under pressure. The teams headed into the interval locked at 1-1, setting the stage for an open and competitive second half.
After the restart, both sides created several scoring opportunities. South Africa’s Lyle Foster and Teboho Mokoena were pivotal in orchestrating attacks, though their shots were either blocked or narrowly missed. Nigeria’s Ademola Lookman also posed a threat, maneuvering to penetrate South Africa’s steadfast defensive line.
The match’s intensity escalated, marked by multiple fouls and cautions, including a yellow card for South African midfielder Teboho Mokoena in the 82nd minute. Tactical substitutions followed as both teams sought to shift the game’s momentum. South Africa introduced Kamogelo Sebelebele and Thalente Mbatha in the 84th minute, while Nigeria swapped Moses Simon for Samuel Chukwueze to bolster their offensive options.
Despite persistent efforts from both sides, neither could break the deadlock before the final whistle. The 1-1 draw leaves South Africa with an impressive record of five wins and two draws, while Nigeria’s tally improves to two wins and four draws in the qualifying campaign.
