Nigeria’s 1-1 draw with South Africa has left the Super Eagles’ 2026 World Cup hopes hanging by a thread, as they now depend on improbable results from other Group C fixtures.
Nigeria’s Super Eagles on Tuesday played out a 1-1 draw against South Africa’s Bafana Bafana in their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier at the Free State Stadium, leaving their qualification chances hanging by a thread.
The hosts took the lead when captain William Ekong inadvertently turned Nkota’s cross into his own net. Nigeria equalised just before halftime after Lookman sparked a move, Simon delivered a fine cross, and Calvin Bassey rose to head home. Replays hinted at a possible handball, but with no VAR in use, the goal stood.
Despite the equalizer, the draw leaves Nigeria third in Group C with 11 points, level with Benin Republic but six points adrift of leaders South Africa, who now look favorites to qualify. FIFA had earlier noted, “South Africa will qualify if they beat Nigeria, and Benin fail to beat Lesotho.”
For Nigeria to advance, they must win their last two matches and hope South Africa lose both, a scenario described as mathematically possible but improbable.