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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.
