Nigeria will look to secure maximum points when they host South Africa at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, on Friday, June 7, Soccernet.ng reports . It is a matchday three clash of the qualifying series for the 2026 FIFA World Cup to be hosted in the United States, Mexico, and Canada.
Nigeria kicked off their campaign in disappointing fashion, managing a tame 1-1 draw at home to lowly Lesotho before forcing a similar scoreline against Zimbabwe back in November. With only two points on board, the Super Eagles sit in third place behind Group C leaders Rwanda, who have four points, and South Africa with three points. To bag their points, the Bafana Bafana claimed a 2-1 victory over Benin on matchday one only to suffer a shock 2-0 loss against Rwanda’s Wasps.
The Bafana Bafana plan will be to avoid another defeat but that would be difficult against a Nigerian team that boasts some of Africa’s finest players. Despite attracting criticisms from a section of their diehard fans, the Super Eagles remain one of the toughest teams to beat on the continent when there is a lot at stake. Nigeria have lost only three competitive fixtures – against Central African Republic, Tunisia, and Cote d’Ivoire – since July 2019.
Earlier this year, despite losing several key players before the tournament, the Super Eagles still battled their way to the final of the Africa Cup of Nations. South Africa, Cameroon, and eventual winners Cote d’Ivoire were among.
