South Africa strengthened their bid for a place at the FIFA 2026 World Cup with a 1-1 draw against Nigeria in Bloemfontein, leaving the Super Eagles under pressure with just two group games remaining. The CAF Group C clash saw Bafana Bafana take the lead in the 25th minute when Nigerian captain William Troost-Ekong inadvertently turned the ball into his own net, sparking wild celebrations from the home crowd.
Nigeria responded before the break, with defender Calvin Bassey heading home in the final minute of the first half to restore parity. Despite both sides creating chances after the interval, neither could find a winner in a tense encounter at the Free State Stadium. The result leaves South Africa six points clear at the top of the group and firmly on course for automatic qualification, while Nigeria remain second only on goal difference.
For the Super Eagles, the pressure now shifts to their remaining fixtures — an away tie against Lesotho on October 6, followed by a decisive home clash with Benin on October 13. Failure to secure a top-two finish would end Nigeria’s hopes of reaching the expanded 48-team finals in North America. While group winners qualify automatically, second place offers only a slim lifeline via the intercontinental playoffs, reserved for the four best runners-up across nine CAF groups.
South Africa, meanwhile, will be confident of sealing their spot, with matches against Zimbabwe and Rwanda still to come. Their strong position means Bafana Bafana are poised to return to the World Cup for the first time since hosting the tournament in 2010. For coach Hugo Broos, the draw represents another step forward in a campaign that has seen South Africa combine defensive resilience with clinical finishing.
Elsewhere in CAF qualifying, Egypt edged closer to their own World Cup ticket after a goalless draw with Burkina Faso kept them five points clear at the top of Group A. Coach Hossam Hassan’s side now need just two points from games against Djibouti and Guinea-Bissau to guarantee qualification. Despite injury setbacks, including the early withdrawal of Manchester City’s Omar Marmoush, the Pharaohs remain unbeaten and on course for their fourth appearance at football’s biggest stage.
