Bafana and Nigeria share the spoils in fiery World Cup qualifier

Bafana and Nigeria share the spoils in fiery World Cup qualifier

Bafana Bafana v Nigeria. Photo credit: SAFA

Bafana and Nigeria share the spoils in fiery World Cup qualifier

South Africa’s Bafana Bafana and Nigeria battled to a hard-fought 1-1 draw in their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier encounter at the Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein on Tuesday night. The match saw a fierce and entertaining contest, with both goals coming in the first half.

The result marks the first time Bafana has failed to win a home World Cup qualifier under coach Hugo Broos, having previously secured six consecutive victories in the 2022 and 2026 campaigns.

First Half Action: A Tale of Two Goals

The home side started on the front foot, spurred on by the passionate crowd. The first real chance came in the fourth minute when Mohau Nkota’s header went high and wide from an Oswin Appollis cross. The game was also intensely physical from the start, with hard tackles leading to yellow cards for Ademola Lookman and Siyabonga Ngezana within the opening 20 minutes.

As Nigeria defended deep, Appollis nearly broke the deadlock, but his shot was saved by goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali after he won the ball inside the box. However, it wasn’t long before Bafana found the breakthrough. Nkota, causing problems down the right wing, sent in a cross that was deflected into the net by Nigeria’s William Troost-Ekong for an own goal.

Just as it seemed Bafana would head into halftime with the lead, Nigeria, who had failed to register a shot on goal up to that point, found a controversial equaliser. Calvin Bassey headed the ball into the net from close range, but replays showed the ball made contact with his hand.

With no VAR in the World Cup qualifiers, the goal stood, leveling the score on the stroke of halftime. The goal came after a brief period of pressure from Nigeria, who had won three consecutive corners in the final minutes of the half.

Second Half: A Tense Stand-off

Nigeria started the second half with renewed energy, with Tolu Arokodare getting a shot away from a tight angle just five minutes in. Knowing they needed a win to keep their qualification hopes alive, the Super Eagles continued to apply pressure, leaving Bafana on the back foot for much of the half.

Bafana’s first real attack of the half came in the 65th minute, but a promising run from Nkota only resulted in a wasted corner. Two minutes later, Mbekezeli Mbokazi attempted a speculative long-range chip from over 35 yards out after spotting the Nigerian goalkeeper off his line, but his shot went just over the bar.

The tension spilled over in the 70th minute when a heated exchange between the two benches, led by coaches Eric Chelle and Hugo Broos, required the fourth official and players to intervene.

As the match opened up, both teams created chances. Lyle Foster won the ball in a dangerous area for Bafana, but his shot from the right side of the box sailed over. In the 82nd minute, Nigeria came close to taking the lead, but Ademola Lookman’s shot was blocked by Mbokazi.

Despite a few late attacks from Bafana, neither side could find a winner, and the game ended 1-1.

The draw keeps Bafana at the top of Group C with 17 points from eight games, while Nigeria moves into second place with 11 points, level with third-placed Benin and Rwanda in fourth position.

Group C Table

  1. South Africa- 17 points (8 matches played)
  2. Nigeria- 11 points (8 matches)
  3. Benin- 11 points (7 matches)
  4. Rwanda- 11 points (8 matches)
  5. Lesotho- 6 points (7 matches)
  6. Zimbabwe- 4 points (8 matches)

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Bafana Bafana
Nigeria
South Africa
World Cup Qualifying

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