The Super Eagles of Nigeria and South Africa’s Bafana Bafana settled for a point each after a 1-1 draw in Uyo, Akwa Ibom on Friday in a Group C match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup African qualification series.
Both teams last met at the Africa Cup of Nations semi-finals in Cote d’Ivoire in February where the Super Eagles triumphed via 4-2 penalty shootout win. The AFCON semifinal match had ended 1-1 after extra time.
The draw in Uyo leaves Nigeria in 5th place in Group C with three points after three matches, one point behind South Africa, Benin and Rwanda, and two points behind surprise Group leaders, Lesotho.
Lesotho had defeated bottom placed Zimbabwe 2-0 earlier on Friday.
South Africa scored first after 29 minutes, when Themba Zwane dribbled his way past two Nigerian defenders in the 18-yard box to slot in a peach of a goal past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali.
The Super Eagles equalised a minute after the start of the second half, when Alex Iwobi’s pass found Fisayo Dele-Bashiru in the South African penalty box, and the Turkey-based midfielder turned brilliantly to fire a shot into the far corner of Ronwen Williams’ goal.
It was a game of two halves as the South African dominated much of the first half, while Nigeria played better after the interval.
In the 75th minute, substitute Samuel Chukwueze hit the underside of the bar following a sumptuous one-two move with Iwobi, while Europa League final hat trick hero, Ademola Lookman, forced a brilliant left-handed save from Williams in added time.
Head coach of the Super Eagles Finidi George may have to tinker his tactics to ensure his team pick vital three points in their next FIFA World Cup qualification match.
