South Africa were held to a 1–1 draw by Nigeria in a tense 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier at the Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein on Tuesday night.
The much-anticipated clash between two of Africa’s football powerhouses delivered plenty of drama, intensity, and controversy as both sides battled fiercely for control in front of a packed crowd.
Bafana Bafana took the lead in the 25th minute when Nigeria captain William Troost-Ekong inadvertently turned the ball into his own net while attempting to clear a dangerous cross, sending the home fans into celebration.
Nigeria found an equaliser just before halftime through defender Calvin Bassey, though replays appeared to show the ball coming off his hand rather than his head as he guided it past Ronwen Williams. The officials, however, allowed the goal to stand despite South African protests.
The second half was marked by physical play and several heavy tackles, with both teams struggling to create clear chances as the game grew increasingly tense. Despite Hugo Broos’s men pushing hard for a winner, the Super Eagles held firm to secure a share of the points.
The draw keeps South Africa top of Group C with 17 points, maintaining their advantage heading into the final round of qualifiers next month. Nigeria remain within reach but will now rely on other results to keep their World Cup hopes alive.
Speaking after the match, Broos praised his players’ determination: “The performance of my team today makes me enormously proud. It may not have been good football at times, but the way they fought for every ball was fantastic to see as a coach.”
Bafana Bafana are set to return to Johannesburg on Wednesday to continue preparations for their final qualifying fixtures, where they remain firmly in control of their path to the 2026 World Cup.