Bafana Bafana vs Nigeria: 196-Year-Old Tortoise Predicts Two Goals in Crucial World Cup Qualifier
- Bafana Bafana face Nigeria in a crucial Group C World Cup qualifier in Bloemfontein, with top-table points and qualification on the line
- The Super Eagles will be without key talisman Victor Osimhen, while South Africa looks to maintain their unbeaten run in recent qualifying matches
- A 196-year-old tortoise has made a bold prediction ahead of the thrilling encounter tonight
- Briefly News had an exclusive interview with football journalist Brighton Bafana, who shared his outlook on the game
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South Africa will face Nigeria in a crucial CAF World Cup Qualifying Group C clash at Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein on Tuesday, 9 September 2025.
Both sides enter the encounter buoyed by recent wins: Bafana Bafana secured a commanding 3-0 victory against Lesotho on Friday, while the Super Eagles edged out Rwanda 1-0 at home on Saturday, 6 September.
Source: Getty Images
Bafana Bafana currently top the group, while Nigeria, sitting third, will need a win to boost their qualification chances.
The stakes are high, as a victory for South Africa would seriously dent Nigeria’s hopes of qualifying.
A 196-year-old tortoise has made a bold prediction
The Super Eagles will also be without their talisman, Victor Osimhen, due to injury, reducing their chances, although a hint of hope comes from an unusual source: a 196-year-old Aldabra giant tortoise in Zanzibar has “predicted” that Nigeria will score twice against South Africa.
According to handlers, the tortoise stopped at the number two to indicate the Super Eagles will find the net twice in tonight’s fixture.
Football analysts have been divided over the outcome. Pulse Sports’ supercomputer predicts a 1-0 win for South Africa, contradicting the tortoise’s prediction.
A South Africa win would significantly damage the Super Eagles’ qualification hopes, unless FIFA intervenes regarding the three points from South Africa’s March 2025 2-0 win over Lesotho, in which an ineligible Teboho Mokoena featured. FIFA has yet to comment.
Source: Getty Images
What did the football analyst say about the big game?
Briefly News spoke exclusively with football journalist Brighton Bafana, who weighed in on the match:
“Looking at the group stage, Nigeria’s results have been patchy, with draws against Lesotho, Zimbabwe, and South Africa, so they need to turn that form around. South Africa, on the other hand, has been consistent at the top, winning five of their seven matches.”
“Head-to-head history favours Nigeria with seven wins in the last 13 encounters, but recent results, like the 1-1 draw in Uyo, show that South Africa can frustrate even strong sides on their day.”
“Key players could make or break this game. If South Africa’s forwards like Lyle Foster and Teboho Mokoena are firing, the Eagles will have a tough night. For Nigeria, Victor Osimhen’s fitness will be crucial; without him, they’ll rely heavily on Iwobi, Bassey, and Chukwueze to create chances.”
Favourite to win the South Africa vs Nigeria clash
Briefly News also reported that a Nigerian sports analyst has named the favourite to win the South Africa vs Super Eagles tie in their upcoming World Cup qualifier.
The match is expected to be a close encounter, but one of the teams has been predicted to be the favourite to win the tie.
Source: Briefly News
