It was yet another drop points for the Super Eagles after they had to come back from a goal down to draw 1-1 with South Africa’s Bafana Bafana on matchday 3 of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
The Eagles have now failed to win three consecutive games in the qualifiers and are in fifth place on three points while South Africa occupy fourth place on four points.
Also, they have now failed to beat South Africa in three consecutive home games.
Themba Zwane gave the South Africans the lead against the run of play before Fisayo Dele-Bashiru equalised for the Eagles early in the second half.
Up next for the Eagles is an away trip to Côte d’Ivoire where they will face third placed Benin Republic on Monday, June 10.
Paul Onuachu had the first chance on three minutes but could not direct his header on target from close range.
In the 8th minute Ademola Lookman cut inside from the left but his shot went over the bar.
On 10 minutes South Africa had their first shot on target from outside the box but Stanley Nwabali got down well to stop the shot.
In the 12th minute South Africa launched a counter but Benjamin Tanimu made a timely clearance for a corner.
The South Africans won a freekick in a dangerous area but Themba Zwane blasted his effort off target.
In the 27th minute Ndidi got to the right wing but delivered a poor cross which was well handled by Ronwen Williams.
Zwane opened the scoring on 29 minutes after receiving a clever pass beat two markers before placing the ball into the back of the net.
On 33 minutes Kelechi Iheanacho floated in a free kick but it evaded everyone inside the box.
With 10 minutes left South Africa almost doubled their lead but Nwabali quickly rushed out to snuff the danger before Tanimu cleared the rebound.
Elias Mokwana almost got South Africa’s second but hit his effort off target with Nwabali to beat.
With five minutes left in the first half Ndidi tried a shot fro mm outside the box but it was saved by the South African keeper.
Onuachu went close on 42 minutes from a Lookman cross but the keeper made a good save.
Dele-Bashiru equalized on 46 minutes as he received a pass from Alex Iwobi, held off his marker before hitting a low shot past Williams.
In the 53rd minute Dele-Bashiru ran on to a pass from Lookman but he was clattered on but the referee did not give any foul.
In the 58th minute Mokwana broke on the left but his weak strike was well stopped by Nwabali
The Eagles were forced to a change on 61 minutes as Alhassan Yusuf replaced injured Dele-Bashiru.
With 20 minutes left the South Africans launched a long ball but Nwabali rushes out from his area to clear the danger.
Bright Osayi-Samuel was presented with a good chance inside on 72 minutes but his effort went straight to the keeper.
Percy Tau had a big chance on 74 minutes but his weak effort was saved by Nwabali.
At the other end Samuel Chukwueze almost made it 2-1 after he was played in on goal only to see his effort hit the bar.
With nine minutes left Lookman got inside the box but his shot was blocked.
Lookman has another opportunity on 87 minutes but failed to direct his shot towards his off a floated pass from Raphael Onyedika.
In added time Lookman sent a curler which Williams Palmer away for a corner.
Terem Moffi had a big chance to win it for the Eagles but could not beat Williams one on one.
By Sab Osuji, in Uyo
In de WK-kwalificatiewedstrijd van 2026 hebben de Super Eagles opnieuw punten verloren na een teleurstellend 1-1 gelijkspel met Zuid-Afrika. De Nigeriaanse ploeg, die bekend staat om zijn aanvallende speelstijl en talentvolle spelers, slaagde er niet in om de overwinning veilig te stellen tegen een stugge Zuid-Afrikaanse tegenstander.
De wedstrijd begon veelbelovend voor de Super Eagles, met een vroeg doelpunt van hun sterspeler die hen op voorsprong zette. Echter, Zuid-Afrika liet zich niet zomaar uit het veld slaan en wist al snel gelijk te maken met een doelpunt van hun eigen aanvaller. Ondanks kansen aan beide kanten slaagden beide teams er niet in om nog een doelpunt te maken en eindigde de wedstrijd in een gelijkspel.
Dit resultaat zal ongetwijfeld een teleurstelling zijn voor de Nigeriaanse fans en de spelers zelf, die hadden gehoopt op een overwinning om hun kansen op kwalificatie voor het WK van 2026 te vergroten. Met dit gelijkspel hebben de Super Eagles nu kostbare punten verloren en zullen ze harder moeten werken in de resterende kwalificatiewedstrijden om zich te kunnen plaatsen voor het wereldkampioenschap.
Het is duidelijk dat de Nigeriaanse ploeg nog werk te verzetten heeft om hun prestaties te verbeteren en consistentie te bereiken in hun spel. Met sterke tegenstanders in de kwalificatiegroep zullen ze moeten blijven strijden en zichzelf blijven verbeteren om hun doelen te bereiken.
Hopelijk kunnen de Super Eagles leren van deze teleurstelling en sterker terugkomen in de volgende wedstrijden. Met hun talent en potentieel hebben ze zeker de mogelijkheid om zich te kwalificeren voor het WK van 2026 en hopelijk kunnen ze dit doel bereiken met vastberadenheid en hard werken.
