The Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein will take centre stage on Tuesday as South Africa’s Bafana Bafana host the Super Eagles of Nigeria in a crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier.
With Group C reaching its climax, both teams are under pressure to get a result. South Africa aims to solidify its position at the top of the group, while Nigeria is desperate for a win to keep its World Cup hopes alive.
Current standings
Bafana Bafana lead the group on 16 points after sweeping aside Lesotho 3-0 in their last outing. Nigeria trails in third with 10 points, just one shy of Benin Republic, who sit second. On Sunday, the Eagles narrowly edged Rwanda 1-0 to stay in the race.
Eagles under pressure
Nigeria’s inconsistent form—only two wins in five matches—means this tie could prove pivotal. Adding to the challenge, Hugo Broos’ South Africa are on a three-match unbeaten run at home and have won three qualifiers in a row.
Injury watch and key battles
The availability of Victor Osimhen remains uncertain after the striker suffered a knock against Rwanda.
Historically, Nigeria hold a slight edge in the rivalry with two wins in their last seven meetings.
Still, the South Africa team has been tough to beat on home soil, avoiding defeat in their last three games against the Eagles, including a 1-1 stalemate in 2024.
Rivalry
Nigeria’s last away win against South Africa came at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations. Securing another statement victory on Tuesday would provide a huge boost to their qualification hopes.
Kickofft
The clash kicks off at 5 p.m. Nigerian time on Tuesday, September 9, 2025.
Fans can follow the action live on SuperSport, SportyBet TV, and AfroSport.
The Confederation of African Football has unveiled the nominees in the men’s categories for the CAF Awards 2025, celebrating the continent’s top performers among players, coaches, clubs, and national teams.
The awards recognise the impact of players and coaches on African and global football during the period from January 6 to October 15, 2025. The nominations highlight those who have made major contributions to the sport across the continent.
According to a statement posted on the CAF website on Monday, a panel of experts, including members of the CAF Technical & Development Committee, experienced coaches, CAF Legends, and selected media representatives, selected 10 nominees for each category, considering performances across all competitions.
Cameroon’s Andre Frank Zambo Anguissa and Egypt’s Mohamed Salah headline the list after commanding seasons with Napoli and Liverpool, respectively, as well as with their national teams.
Other notable nominees include Fiston Mayele (DR Congo/Pyramids), whose prolific scoring powered his club to the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League title, Achraf Hakimi (Morocco/PSG), Victor Osimhen (Nigeria/Galatasaray), and Iliman Ndiaye (Senegal/Everton).
The nominees are listed below:
Men’s player of the year nominees
Men’s player of the year nominees. Photo: CAF
Andre Frank Zambo-Anguissa (Cameroon/Napoli)
Fiston Mayele (DR Congo/Pyramids)
Mohamed Salah (Egypt/Liverpool)
Denis Bouanga (Gabon/Los Angeles FC)
Serhou Guirassy (Guinea/Borussia Dortmund)
Achraf Hakimi (Morocco/Paris Saint-Germain)
Oussama Lamlioui (Morocco/RS Berkane)
Victor Osimhen (Nigeria/Galatasaray)
Iliman Ndiaye (Senegal/Everton)
Pape Matar Sarr (Senegal/Tottenham Hotspur)
Men’s goalkeeper of the year nominees
Men’s goalkeeper of the year nominees. Photo: CAF
Andre Onana (Cameroon/Trabzonspor)
Vozinha (Cape Verde/Chaves)
Ahmed El Shenawy (Egypt/Pyramids)
Munir Mohamedi (Morocco/RS Berkane)
Yassine Bonou (Morocco/Al Hilal)
Stanley Nwabali (Nigeria/Chippa United)
Edouard Mendy (Senegal/Al Ahli)
Marc Diouf (Senegal/Tengueth)
Ronwen Williams (South Africa/Mamelodi Sundowns)
Aymen Dahmen (Tunisia/CS Sfaxien)
Men’s interclub player of the year nominees
Men’s interclub player of the year nominees. Photo: CAF
Former international, Victor Ikpeba says it is important for the Super Eagles to grab the chance to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup through the playoffs.
Eric Chelle’s side failed to secure automatic qualification to the mundial despite a convincing 4-0 home victory over Benin Republic last week.
The three-time African champions, however, did enough to earn a place in the playoffs having finished second in Group C behind the Bafana Bafana of South Africa.
They will square up with the Panthers of Gabon in an all West African affair in the semi-final of the playoffs in Morocco next month.
The winner will face either Cameroon or Democratic Republic of Congo in the final.
Ikpeba reckoned it is important for the Super Eagles to qualify for the World Cup
“We can qualify for the World Cup, it is another chance for them to play at the World Cup,” Ikpeba said on Monday Night Football on Supersport TV.
“They have a second lifeline, they have to grab it.”
Super Falcons stars Asisat Oshoala and Folashade Ijamilusi are among the first set of players to arrive at the team’s camp in Lomé, Togo, ahead of their 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) qualifying match against the Amazons of Benin Republic.
Six other players have also reported to the camp at the Hotel Sarakawa in Lomé, including new invitee Joy Omewa, alongside Miracle Usani, Taiwo Afolabi, Anderline Mgbechi, Blessing Illivieda, and Kafayat Mafisere.
Head coach Justine Madugu is still awaiting the arrival of 13 more players to complete the squad. The team is scheduled to hold its first training session later tonight.
The first leg of the qualifier will be hosted by Benin at the Stade Kegue in Lomé on Thursday, with the reverse fixture slated for the Moshood Abiola Sports Arena, Abeokuta, next week Tuesday.
