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Chukwueze allegedly aggravated a recurring injury
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The winger picked up the injury during training with the Super Eagles in Uyo
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Nigeria will play in the WCQs against both South Africa and Benin Republic
Nigerian duo of Esther Elo Joseph and Patience Okon-George seized the spotlight at the women’s 400m final, CAA Region II Championships in Ghana.
Joseph clinched gold, crossing the finish line in a remarkable time of 51.79 seconds, marking her fourth sub-52-second performance of the season.
In a closely contested race, veteran Okon-George secured the silver medal with a time of 52.10 seconds.
The Nigerian duo left their competitors trailing behind, with Sita Sibiri of Burkina Faso finishing distance third, with a time of 53.14 seconds.
Joseph’s stellar performance, coupled with Okon-George’s performance, solidifies Nigeria’s dominance in track and field on the regional stage.
As preparations continue for the World Table Tennis (WTT) Contender Lagos, International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) Vice President, Wahid Oshodi is optimistic that this year’s tournament will be highly rated among the Sport’s big names.
Oshodi assured that the event will also serve as a platform to test new initiatives aimed at developing young Nigerian table tennis talent.
“In terms of the WTT and other exciting festivals coming up in Lagos, every year we continue to evolve,” he said.
“We continue to try to develop new things, and this year, we have some exciting ideas we’re trying to work on.”
While specifics are yet to be announced, Oshodi highlighted the focus on supporting emerging players, with Nigerian star Aruna Quadri leading the efforts.
“We want to support a lot of the younger players coming through, and we’ll be doing a lot of work in this area led by Aruna Quadri.”
The event will also feature Sarah Anfo, who is expected to play her final match on the African continent before the Olympic Games next month.
“She’s been a great champion, a great worker for table tennis in Africa, and we’re very proud that she wants to choose Lagos to end her career,” Oshodi noted.
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Rivers Hoopers finished third at the 2024 BAL
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Head Coach Ogoh Odaudu was voted Coach of the Year
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It was the first time a Nigerian team reached the Playoffs
Rivers Hoopers point guard, Will Perry has been named to the 2024 Basketball Africa League (BAL) Team of the Season.
Perry was honored alongside Samkelo Cele (Cape Town Tigers), Marcus Crawford (US Monastir), Aliou Diarra (FUS Rabat), and Lual Lual Acuil (Al Ahly).
The 29-year-old American played a pivotal role in leading the KingsMen to a third-place finish, marking them as the first Nigerian team to achieve this feat in the BAL.
Perry shares the record for the most points scored in a single BAL game and won the BAL Sportsmanship Award in 2023.
Perry, who began his professional career with CB Zamora in Spain’s LEB Plata after going undrafted in the 2016 NBA Draft, has since played in various leagues across Europe and Africa.
Rivers Hoopers signed him for the 2024 BAL season on February 24, 2024.
Angola’s Petro de Luanda emerged the winner of the Basketball Africa League (BAL) 2024 championship by defeating Libya’s Al Ahly.
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Rayners scored 15 goals in 28 matches for Stellenbosch last season
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Both South Africa and Nigeria have scored two goals each in the qualifiers
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Hugo Broos is facing an injury crisis ahead of Friday’s game
South African Forward Iqraam Rayners has stressed the importance of avoiding defeat against Nigeria in their upcoming FIFA World Cup qualifiers fixture.
With both teams having dropped points in previous matches, Nigeria currently sits third in the standings with just two points, trailing South Africa by a single point, and Rwanda leads the group with four points.
Reflecting on their previous performance, Rayners stressed the significance of securing points in the upcoming match, highlighting the team’s determination to avoid further setbacks.
“If we can’t win, we must at least get a point in Nigeria,” the forward told Sowetan Live. “Like the coach said, he wants four points from these two games but we will try to get six points.”
“This is football and anything can happen, we might steal the game in the last minutes in Nigeria.”
The clash between the Super Eagles and Bafana Bafana is set to take place at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo.
After the game, South Africa will host Zimbabwe at the Free State Stadium four days.
Nigeria and South Africa are set to lock horns once again on Friday as they slug it out in a crucial World Cup qualifier.
This encounter will mark their 16th meeting at senior international level, with Nigeria having won 9 times, five draws, and just two losses.
Nigeria vs South Africa – Head-to-Head:
Matches Played: 16
South Africa Wins: 2
Nigeria Wins: 9
Draw 5
Will the Super Eagles extend their dominance?
The Super Eagles start the World Cup qualifiers on a not so good note after drawing their first 2 matches against Lesotho and Zimbabwe, securing two points out of a possible six.
However, The Super Eagles aim to extend their dominance, while Bafana Bafana seek to write a new chapter.
Notably, Nigeria defeated South Africa in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations semi-final.
South Africa’s defender Aubrey Modiba (C) fights for the ball with Nigeria’s midfielder Frank Onyeka (L) and Samuel Chukwueze during the Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) 2024 semi-final match. (Photo by ISSOUF SANOGO/AFP via Getty Images)
Nigeria is 3rd in the World Cup Group table while South Africa are 2nd and are a point better.
World Cup Qualification history
MacBeth Sibaya (C) acknowledges the support as South Africa beat France but leave the competition during the 2010 FIFA World Cup. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images)
The last time South Africa qualified for World Cup was in 2010 which they hosted.
Bafana Bafana have qualified 3 times in their history 1998, 2002 and 2010, but they have failed to make it past the group stage on all occasions.
The Super Eagles on the other hand has qualified for six of the last eight tournaments, missing only the 2006 and 2022 editions since 1994.
Lionel Messi runs with the ball during the 2018 FIFA World Cup match between Nigeria and Argentina. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
They have reached the round of 16 on three occasions as their best result in 1994, 1998 and 2014.
Quotes from the coaches
Hugo Broos (South Africa)
Hugo Broos, Manager of South Africa. (Photo by Richard Pelham – FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
“It won’t be easy, especially against Nigeria. However, we have confidence from our AFCON performances. Our goal is certainly to qualify for the World Cup.”
Finidi George (Nigeria)
Super Eagles head coach, Finidi George.
“We know Nigerians would love the team to win all the time, and we’ll just get the players focused on the game, one game at a time.
“We focus on the South African game and see how we can win that one before we talk about the Benin Republic game. For me, as a coach, it’s either you have a good result, or you don’t have a good result.”
South Africa’s Arrival
South Africa’s Bafana Bafana will arrive Uyo on Wednesday ahead of the clash and will stay at the Four Points by Sheraton Hotel, Ikot Ekpene.
Prediction
This promises to be a close and exciting encounter. Although Nigeria has a slight advantage on paper as they will be playing at home, they should not underestimate South Africa’s hunger for revenge.
Also looking at the players in camp for Nigeria, the likes Ademola Lookman, who recently won the Europa League with Atalanta, and Victor Boniface.
Although the team will be without their talismanic Forward, Victor Osimhen, predicting a winner is tricky, but a 2-0 victory for Nigeria seems plausible.
Date, kick-off time and venue
Godswill Akpabio stadium, Uyo.
Nigeria and South Africa clash is scheduled for 8pm Nigeria time kick-off on June 7.
The match will take place at Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo.
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Tau hopes to guide South Africa to the 2026 FIFA World Cup
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South Africa’s last appearance at the World Cup was in 2010
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Nigeria edged South Africa in their last meeting
South Africa’s forward Percy Tau says Bafana Bafana are determined to secure victory against Nigeria in their upcoming FIFA World Cup Qualifying match in Uyo, this Friday.
Currently positioned second in Group C, South Africa led by Hugo Broos, seek to return to the global stage after their last appearance in 2010.
Facing the Super Eagles, who currently hold third place in the qualifying standings with two points from the same number of matches, Tau hinted that they must get a positive result.
“I’m looking forward to it, and I want to qualify for the World Cup with South Africa,” Tau told African Football.
“Against Nigeria and Zimbabwe, it won’t be easy, but we’ll try to get a result away from home because they’ll always be difficult and we lost to them at the AFCON 2023 tournament, so we have to try something this time,” He said.
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Ismail earned a first call-up to the Super Eagles
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Nigeria is third in Group C with two points from as many Games
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The 20 year-old Defender revealed his call up came as a surprise
Sodiq Ismail has expressed his elation upon receiving his maiden invitation to join the Nigeria MNT.
Ismail is listed in the 24-man squad curated by coach Finidi George for this month’s 2026 World Cup qualifiers against South Africa and Benin Republic.
In an exclusive interview with NFF TV, the defender conveyed his deep gratitude:
“It is a privilege for me to be with the senior players, and I think I will be able to learn one or two things from them.
“I didn’t expect this in the first place; to be called to the national team. Well, I am here to prove my worth and to make Nigeria proud.”
The Super Eagles are poised for a tough challenge as they prepare to clash with South Africa at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo on Friday, followed by a another difficult encounter against Benin in Cote d’Ivoire on Tuesday.
‘We’ll come out victorious against South Africa and Benin. I am always ready if I am given the chance to start those games.
“I am confident Nigeria will get the 2026 World Cup ticket,” the Remo Stars defender concluded.
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Ronwen Williams and Teboho Mokoena are doubts for South Africa’s game against Nigeria
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Broos is dealing with a growing injury list ahead of Friday’s game
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Bafana Bafana are second on the table and a point ahead of Nigeria in Group C
South Africa’s preparations for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Nigeria has been dealt a blow as key players face potential absences from the crucial match.
According to the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC), coach Hugo Broos may have to contend without the services of goalkeeper Ronwen Williams and midfielder Teboho Mokoena for the impending clash.
The setback compounds existing injury woes within the squad, following the withdrawal of Grant Kekana due to a hamstring issue, as highlighted by Broos in recent statements.
Veteran goalkeeper Williams is in doubt for the fixture due to a shoulder injury, raising concerns about his availability against Nigeria.
Should he failed to recover fully for the game, either Ricardo Goss or Veli Mothwa is expected to step up to fill the goalkeeping role for Broos’ side.
Meanwhile, midfielder Mokoena, who played a pivotal role in the meeting both teams at the Africa Cup of Nations, faces uncertainty due to a knock sustained during the Cup final against Orlando Pirates.
With the clock ticking down to the qualifier, Broos and his coaching staff are working tirelessly to address the injury setbacks and ensure the team’s readiness for the crucial match against Nigeria.
Stanley Nwabali has expressed his confidence in maintaining the Super Eagles first choice goalkeeping spot.
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