Nigeria’s Super Eagles were held to a 1-1 draw by South Africa’s Bafana Bafana at the Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein on Tuesday, leaving both sides with a point in their World Cup qualifying group.
An own goal by Super Eagles captain William Troost-Ekong and an equalizer from Calvin Bassey saw Nigeria held to a 1-1 draw leaveing Nigeria’s 2026 World Cup hopes hanging by a thread.
With two matches left to play in the group, Nigeria are 6 points behind South Africa who are topping Group C with 17 points, while the Super Eagles are on 11 points alongside Benin Republic who have a match at hand.
From the first whistle, South Africa came out with relentless pressure, eager to exploit the advantage of playing on home soil.
Nigeria responded in the 10th minute, earning a corner after Ademola Lookman sent in a pinpoint cross from the right. However, South Africa’s goalkeeper Foster was quick to react, clearing the threat with a well-timed header.
In the 25th minute, disaster struck for Nigeria as an unfortunate own goal from captain William Troost-Ekong handed South Africa the lead, putting the Bafana Bafana ahead.
Nigeria refused to be beaten and responded just before half-time. Calvin Bassey’s header, controversial yet powerful, flew into the net to level the score at 1-1,
