By The Super Eagles step into their World Cup qualifier against South Africa under immense pressure, with their campaign hanging by a thread after a series of disappointing results.
South Africa currently top Group C with 16 points from seven games, six clear of Nigeria. With just three matches left, the West Africans must win in Johannesburg to keep their slim qualification hopes alive. Anything short of victory would leave their chances dependent on South Africa dropping points elsewhere.
Coach Finidi George and his players have repeatedly spoken about the urgency of the task, stressing the need for discipline and focus in a fixture that has become one of African football’s fiercest rivalries.
Head-to-Head Record
Nigeria hold the historical edge in this contest, winning six of the 13 meetings, while South Africa have managed just one victory. The remaining six encounters ended in stalemates.
The Super Eagles also had the upper hand at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, edging Bafana Bafana on penalties in the semi-final. At the 2019 AFCON, Nigeria knocked out the 1996 continental champions. However, recent encounters tell a different story, three consecutive 1-1 draws at full time.
South Africa, meanwhile, will take confidence from their unbeaten home run in World Cup qualifiers, having gone three straight games without defeat in Johannesburg.
Starting XI
South Africa: Williams (1); Mdunyelwa (18), Ngezana (21), Mbokazi (14), Kabini (20); Mokoena (4), Aubaas (15), Nkoota (23), Mbule (17), Appollis (7); Foster (9).
Substitutes: Shabalala (11), Moloisane (3), Ndamane (19), Sebelebele (6), Mokokeng (10), Modiba (6), Rayners (15), Chaine (16, GK), Le Roux (19), Coss (22, GK), Mbatha (5), Monyane (2).
Nigeria: Nwabali (23, GK); Aina (2), Ekong (C), Bassey (21), Fredrick (13); Ndidi (4), Iwobi (17), Dele-Bashiru (14); Lookman (7), Simon (15), Dessers (19).
Substitutes: Adebayo, Onyeka, Awaziem, Arokodare, Chukwueze, Osayi-Uche, Onyemaechi, Obasogie, Agu, Nwadike.
With history on their side but form working against them, the Super Eagles know that the clash against Bafana Bafana is not just another qualifier.
