How Bafana Bafana’s Win Over Lesotho Impacts Nigeria’s 2026 World Cup Hopes

• Bafana Bafana of South Africa have done a good job of securing all three points in their World Cup qualifier against Lesotho on Friday evening
• Hugo Broos' side are looking forward to their next game against archrivals, the Super Eagles of Nigeria, which would also take place at the Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein
• A Nigerian football analyst has shared his thoughts with Briefly News on what Bafana Bafana's win over Lesotho now means for the Super Eagles

Bafana Bafana have continued their good run of form in the World Cup qualifying phase as they defeated Lesotho on Matchday seven at the Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein.

Goals from Mohau Nkota, Burnley's striker Lyle Foster, and Oswin Appollis gave Hugo Broos' men the deserved 3-0 win over their neighbours on Friday, September 6, 2025.

The win extends South Africa's lead at the top of Group C as they are currently on 16 points, nine ahead of the Super Eagles of Nigeria. Eric Chelle's side are still on seven points from six games and would need a win against Rwanda to level up.

What Bafana's win over Lesotho means for Nigeria

Nigerian sports journalist, Uche Anuma, in an exclusive chat with Briefly News, shared his opinion on the clash between the Super Eagles and Bafana Bafana after the latter won their match against Lesotho.

Nigeria will face Rwanda in their next match, and the result of the tie means a lot for South Africa, bearing in mind what happens concerning the controversy surrounding Teboho Mokoena's issue.

"Lesotho started the match a little surprisingly as I was expecting total dominance from start to finish for Bafana Bafana," he said.

"Despite the early good signs from Lesotho, they succumbed to the brilliance of Bafana Bafana players, and it was obviously one of the best games for the South African national team."

Anuma also went on to confirm that Bafana Bafana's win will put a bitter taste in the mouth of Nigerians, and it means the Super Eagles need to win all their remaining qualifiers while also hoping FIFA deducts SA's points.

"Bafana Bafana's win has now condemned the Super Eagles to winning all their remaining games in the World Cup qualifiers," he added.

"A draw against Rwanda will end their hopes of qualifying for the competition next year, and also if FIFA decide not to deduct points from Bafana Bafana for fielding an ineligible player against Lesotho, then it would be a back-to-back World Cup qualification disappointment for the Super Eagles.

"I think we can win all, but the game against South Africa will definitely be a tough one, as it won't be easy to get a positive result from this Bafana Bafana side."

Favourites to win Bafana vs Super Eagles tie

Briefly News also reported that a sports journalist named the favourite to win the clash between South Africa and the Super Eagles of Nigeria.

Bafana Bafana will host the Super Eagles on matchday 8 in their World Cup qualifying group, and it will be held at the same venue where they faced Lesotho.

Source: Briefly News