By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
South Africa inched closer to next year’s FIFA World Cup after holding a determined Nigeria to a 1-1 draw in a tense Group C qualifier at Free State Stadium stadium, Bloemfontein.
The result sees Bafana Bafana six points clear of the Super Eagles at the top of the log.
Only the top team in the group will automatically qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the USA, Canada and Mexico. The four best second-placed teams across nine groups in Africa progress to a knockout tournament to determine the sole African representative at the inter-confederation playoffs.
Nigeria suffered an early injury blow, with Ola Aina making way for Bright Osayi-Samuel in just the 10th minute.
Bafana Bafana created the first scoring opportunity when Mohau Nkota’s header went over the bar following a well-placed cross from Oswin Appollis.
Hugo Broos’ side breakthrough came in the 25th minute, but it was a moment to forget for Nigeria’s William Troost-Ekong, whose own goal from a Nkota cross gave South Africa a 1-0 advantage.
Super Eagles drew level at 1-1 in the 44th minute, with Calvin Bassey bundling home a close-range effort after Fisayo Dele-Bashiru’s cross from the right by-line.
Nigeria made a double change at the start of the second half, throwing on Bruno Onyemaechi and Tolu Arokodare – with the latter quickly making an impact and almost putting the visitors ahead in the 50th minute with an effort that flashed across the face of goal.
While the game itself delivered plenty of end-to-end action and talking points, credit must also go to the crowd, who turned out in impressive numbers on a Tuesday evening.
The teams will conclude their Group C campaigns in October, with South Africa facing Zimbabwe (away) and Rwanda (home), while Nigeria will tackle Lesotho (away) and Benin (home).