Draw that brings Bafana Bafana on the verge of WC, as Super Eagles will have to 'grind'
Reading Time: 4min | Tue. 09.09.25. | 21:11
South Africa need only a point in the remaining two rounds to book their World Cup ticket, while Nigeria will harshly fight with Rwanda and Benin for second spot - 1-1
Win-win situation! Both South Africa and Nigeria didn't want to lose tonight, and their wish came true, as the two rivals shared spoils in Bloemfontein - 1-1.
Bafana Bafana had an early lead thanks to William Troost-Ekong's own goal, but Fulham's Calvin Bassey levelled in the dying minutes of the first half, while the second period was marked by a much slower pace and both teams' satisfaction with the result.
This way, South Africa remained convincingly first in Group C, and even a draw in the final two qualifying rounds will be enough for them to book their World Cup ticket.
On the other hand, Nigeria are tied with Rwanda and Benin (which have yet to play tonight against Lesotho (22.00)), and the remaining matches will be one hell of a ride for them
Group C standings after today's matches. There are two more matches to the end.
— Leagues Reporter (@LeaguesReporter) September 9, 2025
Nigeria moved to 2nd on the log after a 1-1 draw against South Africa. pic.twitter.com/hz3QSaOOrU
The very beginning of the clash didn't hint at anything good for Nigeria, as Nottingham Forest's Ola Aina suffered an injury only nine minutes into the game and was forced to leave the pitch. Bright Osayi-Samuel replaced him and ten minutes later made a mistake that could have led to South Africa's opener. Luckily for him, Stanley Nwabali stopped Oswin Appollis' close-range attempt.
However, that was only the introduction to Bafana Bafana's opener! Mohau Nkota drove the ball over the right flank and crossed it inside, where the unlucky Super Eagles' captain, William Troost-Ekong, clumsily put it into his own net!
🇿🇦 Goal South Africa! Bafana Bafana take the lead after a Troost-Ekong own goal.#RSANGA #WorldCupQualifiers #BafanaBafana #SuperEagles
— GoalBangsWays (@GoalBangsW) September 9, 2025
pic.twitter.com/Z78STLXfjC
At that point, the Nigerians seemed completely idealess and subordinate to their rivals, but still, they showed they are the strongest when no one counts on them, as they levelled from their first decent chance in the penultimate minute of the opening period, when Fulham's Calvin Bassey headed the ball in from close range, though he seemed to have touched it with his arm!
⚽️ GOAL | Calvin Bassey has equalized score 1-1
— Goals Xtra (@GoalsXtra) September 9, 2025
🇿🇦 South Africa 1-1 Nigeria 🇳🇬pic.twitter.com/pmr1TWYISp
At the break, Nigeria boss Eric Chelle replaced Cyriel Dessers with the scorer of the winner against Rwanda three days ago Tolu Arokodare, and the new Wolverhampton striker had a massive chance only minutes into the second half, but shot wide of Ronwen Williams' left post.
Bafana Bafana responded in the 68th minute when Mbekezile Mbokazi tried to lob Nwabali, who was near the edge of his penalty area, but the ball went slightly over the bar after the defender's long-distance effort.
That turned out to be the last chance of the game, as neither side wanted to risk too much and attack, when they had a point in their pockets. South Africa are now on the verge of the World Cup, while Nigeria will have to work hard to end up second.
2026 FIFA WORLD CUP QUALIFIERS - AFRICA
Monday
Equatorial Guinea - Tunisia 0-1 (0-0)
/Ben Romdhane 90+5/
Mozambique - Botswana 2-0 (1-0)
/Witi 6, Bangal 71/
Zambia - Morocco 0-2 (0-1)
/En Nesyri 7, Igamane 47/
Guinea - Algeria 0-0
Guinea Bissau - Djibouti 2-0 (0-0)
/Imbene 54, Cande 82/
Madagascar - Chad 3-1 (0-1)
/Caddy 52, Raveloson 69, Abdallah 90+3 - Allarabaye 25/
Malawi - Liberia 2-2 (0-1)
/Mhango 72, Kaonga 80 - Kosiah 3, 62/
Uganda - Somalia 2-0 (2-0)
/Okello 6 pen, Ssemugabi 39/
Ghana - Mali 1-0 (0-0)
/Djiku 49/
Libya - Eswatini 2-0 (2-0)
/Eisay 8, El Mariamy 19/
Tuesday
Kenya - Seychelles 5-0 (4-0)
/Ogam 7, 38, Sichenje 35, Olunga 45+5 pen, 67/
Namibia - Sao Tome 3-0 (1-0)
/Shalulile 41, 66, 71/
Sierra Leone - Ethiopia 2-0 (1-0)
/Kamara Mom. 37, Koroma 90+6/
Tanzania - Niger 0-1 (0-0)
/Sosah 58/
Zimbabwe - Rwanda 0-1 (0-1)
/Mugisha 40/
Burkina Faso - Egypt 0-0
Cape Verde - Cameroon 1-0 (0-0)
/Rocha Livramento 54/
DR Congo - Senegal 2-3 (2-1)
/Bakambu 26, Wissa 33 - Ndiaye I. 39, Jackson 54, Sarr 87/
South Africa - Nigeria 1-1 (1-1)
/Troost-Ekong 25 og - Bassey 44/
Togo - Sudan 1-0 (1-0)
/Fofana 6/
22.00: (1.20) Angola (6.50) Mauritius (16.0)
22.00: (1.60) Benin (3.60) Lesotho (6.75)
22.00: (3.80) Gabon (3.30) Ivory Coast (2.05)
22.00: (1.67) Gambia (3.60) Burundi (5.70)
22.00: (1.35) Mauritania (4.60) South Sudan (10.5)
***odds are subject to change***
