Update:
South Africa held Nigeria to a 1-1 draw in a 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier on Tuesday, 9 September 2025. Hugo Broos’ side earned a point from the tough encounter played in Bloemfontein.
After the draw, South Africa tops Group C with 17 points from eight games. Nigeria moved into second place with 11 points after eight matches. Benin occupies the third spot with 11 points, but has played one less game than Nigeria. Benin still has to play Lesotho.
South Africa vs Nigeria: Who Scored in the 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifier?
William Troost-Ekong gifted Bafana Bafana an early lead when he scored an own goal in the 25th minute of the first half. However, before the halftime break, Calvin Bassey equalised for Nigeria.
He scored a suspicious goal in the 44th minute after Fisayo Dele-Bashiru’s cross into the South African box. It looked like he scored with his hand, but the referee allowed the goal to stand as there was no VAR technology in the clash.
In a physically draining second half, Tolu Arokodare nearly scored Nigeria’s second goal of the match after dribbling a defender inside the box, and his shot narrowly missed the inside of the right post.
South African defender Mbekezeli Mbokazi drove through the middle of the field and nearly scored a spectacular goal. He spotted the Nigerian keeper outside the box and took a shot from a long distance, which flew just over the crossbar.
South Africa vs Nigeria: Standings and Results of 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers
South Africa hosts Nigeria in a crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier on Tuesday, 9 September 2025. The African football giants’ clash starts at 6 PM at the Toyota Stadium in Bloemfontein.
Coming into this match, South Africa sits comfortably at the top of Group C with 16 points after seven matches. Nigeria occupies the third spot with 10 points after seven games.
If they want to keep their World Cup dream alive, the Super Eagles have to beat their arch-rivals in their own backyard. As Hugo Broos’ men are a few points away from securing their spot in the upcoming soccer spectacle, they’ll make sure that they at least get a point or all three points from the match.
South Africa last played in a FIFA World Cup tournament in 2010 when they hosted the event. They’ve not been able to qualify since then.
Also Read: Lithuania vs Netherlands, Memphis Depay makes history in 2026 World Cup qualifier
South Africa: Last Two 2026 World Cup Qualifiers Results
Broos’ side made a statement on 5 September 2025 when they demolished Lesotho 3-0 in a World Cup qualifier. Mohau Nkota, who plays in the Saudi Pro League, Lyle Foster, who plays in the Premier League, and Orlando Pirates’ Oswin Appollis scored for South Africa.
On 25 March 2025, South Africa travelled to Benin, where they collected maximum points. South Africa won the World Cup qualifier with an impressive 2-0. Foster and Jayden Adams netted for Bafana Bafana in the second half of the encounter.
Did Nigeria Win Their Last Two 2026 World Cup Qualifiers?
On 6 September 2025, Nigeria edged Rwanda 1-0. The home side struggled to break down Rwanda’s defence in the first half, but were able to convert one chance they created in the second half. Tolu Arokodare scored the only goal of the match in the 51st minute.
In another 2026 World Cup qualifier on 25 March 2025, Nigeria played a 1-1 draw with Zimbabwe. Nigeria’s lethal forward, Viktor Osimhen, put his country in the lead in the 74th minute, but Zimbabwe’s Tawanda Chirewa levelled the score in the last minute of the match. He broke Nigerian hearts in the 90th minute.
Also Read: England 2-0 Andorra, Three Lions win easy 2026 World Cup qualifier
South Africa vs Nigeria: Head-to-Head
South Africa and Nigeria last met in Round 3 of the World Cup qualifiers on 7 June 2024. The encounter played in Nigeria ended in a 1-1 draw. Themba Zwane scored Bafana Bafana’s first goal in the 29th minute, and the Super Eagles equalised early in the second half via Fisayo Dele-Bashiru’s goal in the 46th minute.
A few months earlier, Nigeria defeated South Africa in a penalty shootout after the game ended in a 1-1 draw. Both the African football giants had scored their goals from the penalty spot. The Africa Cup of Nations semi-final was played on 7 February 2024.
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