WHO: South Africa vs Nigeria
Content: CAF Qualifications for the FIFA 2026 World Cup
Location: Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein, Free State, South Africa
When: Tuesday at 6pm (16:00 GMT)
How to Follow: Before the live text commentary stream, do all your builds from 13:30 GMT to Al Jazeera Sport.
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Nigeria has traveled to South Africa, looking to win the FIFA World Cup 2026 Africa Football (CAF) alliance and is on track against Group C leaders.
Nigeria, the three-time African champion, is currently third in the group, but was second on Tuesday at Bloemfontein, creating the country’s eligibility hopes.
What makes the Super Eagles’ task even more difficult is South Africa’s unbeaten at home during the group phase with victory over Benin (2-1), Zimbabwe (3-1) and Lesotho (3-0).
There’s everything you need to know about high stakes matchups between two of Africa’s most famous soccer countries.
Where are South Africa and Nigeria currently located in Group C?
After seven matches, South Africa opened a wide point gap between itself and the other five teams in the group.
South Africa: 16 points (+8 GD) Benin: 11 points (0 GD) Nigeria: 10 points (+2 GD) Rwanda: 8 points (-1 GD) Lesotho: 6 points (-4 GD) Zimbabwe: 4 points (-5 GD)
How many people are eligible for the FIFA World Cup 2026?
The African World Cup Qualifiers are located in nine groups from six countries.
The nine CAF groups winners will secure direct entry to the World Cup 2026, and four best ranger ups will take part in the InterContinental Playoffs for the possibility of securing the 10th spot in the tournament.
Of the nine African groups, only Morocco has already competed in next year’s World Cup final in North America.
CAF World Cup 2026 Qualification Date:
Round 1 (until November 15th and October 14th, 2023): 54 teams will appear in the group stage. Round 2 (November 10-18): Four best group runner-up plays in the semi-final format. Winners will compete in the inter-confederation playoffs for potential spots in the 10th Africa World Cup.
Does Nigeria still qualify for the FIFA World Cup 2026?
Nigeria can still reach the World Cup final, but they will rely on other teams to finish the top of the group.
They need to win South Africa (Match Day 8) and then secure their victory in the final two matches against Lesotho and Benin (Match Day 9 and 10).
If South Africa loses one of their final two matches and Nigeria wins both, the team will be tied up by 19 points at the end of the first round, and the winner of the group will be determined by the difference in goal. If they are tied to goal differences, the direct record of two teams will be the factor in determining who the group is winner.
If Nigeria finishes second in Group C, they could potentially qualify as one of the four best runner-ups in the Intercontinental Playoffs. If they win the playoffs, they will be hospitalized in the World Cup final as the 10th African team.
Team News: South Africa
Coach Hugo Blue will not be without his first team defenders Nicomo Mobbie and Tabo Brendon Morosane after being injured against Lesotho on Friday. Kaizer Chiefs’ Thabiso Monyane has been called Mobbie’s alternative to Nigeria.
Burnley forward Lyle Foster, who supported the 3-0 home victory over Lesotho, is expected to lead the line again with Nigeria.
Team News: Nigeria
Head coach Eric Chele is not without his talisman striker Victor Osimhen, who was removed from South African equipment after suffering a chin bruise when he defeated Rwanda 1-0 on Friday.
Osimen, who plays for Galata Salei on the Turkish side, is considered the biggest target threat for the Super Eagles, and his absence creates a dilemma of Chel’s choice that is leaning towards going with Tallu Aroko Dale to lead the line alongside Toru Aroko Dale, despite the allegations that Ciriel Dessers and Samuel Chukwees also argue.
In Osimhen’s absence, Moses Simon, Ademoralukeman and Alex Iwobi were able to place further forwards to add an offensive punch to the lineup.
When did South Africa compete in the FIFA World Cup final?
South Africa appeared in the FIFA World Cup finals three times in 1998, 2002 and 2010.
Bafana Bafana was successful in the World Cup through CAF qualifying rounds in 2002. In 2010, he was awarded an automatic entry as a tournament host.
How many FIFA World Cup finals have reached Nigeria?
Nigeria reached the six FIFA World Cup finals but missed its latest tournament held in Qatar in 2022.
When was the last time they met in South Africa?
The last time South Africa and Nigeria met at Bloemfontein was a competitive fixture in the 2019 AFCON qualifiers, when the Super Eagles scored an away fixture 2-1.
Possible starting lineup:
South Africa: Williams (goalkeeper); Mdunyelwa, Ndamane, Monyane, Modiba; Mokoena, Mbatha; nkota, mbule, appollis; Sato
Nigeria: nwabali (goalkeeper); Aina, Fredrick, Bassy, Oniemachi. onyedika, ndidi, Iwabi; Simon; Lookman, Arokodare
Head-on
South Africa and Nigeria have played 13 times since 2004.
Nigeria won six times, but South Africa has only won.
The sides had six draws.
The final 5 matches:
South Africa
www (all competitions, the last result on the right side)
Nigeria
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