Nigeria World Cup hopes dashed after South Africa draw

Nigeria’s Super Eagles have been eliminated from the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign after a 1-1 draw with South Africa. The match, played at the Toyota Stadium in Bloemfontein, was a crucial Group C fixture that Nigeria needed to win to stay in contention for a World Cup spot.

Prior to the match, Nigeria was sitting fourth on the six-team table with 11 points, having defeated Rwanda 1-0 on Matchday 7 in Uyo. South Africa, leading the group with 16 points, aimed to increase their lead. The hosts took the lead in the 25th minute when Nigeria’s captain, William Troost-Ekong, scored an own goal following a defensive mix-up.

Nigeria equalized in the 44th minute through a header from Calvin Bassey, who rose highest to convert a corner kick. Both teams pushed for a winner in the second half, but the score remained level due to crucial saves from the goalkeepers on both sides. The result leaves Nigeria with 12 points and only two matches remaining, effectively ending their hopes of reaching the 2026 World Cup.

The Super Eagles will play their final group matches against Lesotho and Benin Republic on October 6 and October 13, respectively. These fixtures are now considered dead rubbers, with Nigeria no longer in contention for a World Cup spot. South Africa, on the other hand, maintains their lead in the group and edges closer to securing a spot in the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The outcome of the match highlights the competitive nature of the qualifying campaign, where a single match can significantly impact a team’s chances of advancing to the tournament.