South Africa to Face Nigeria Again in FIFAe World Cup Qualifier
- South Africa and Nigeria are rated amongst the top football nations in Africa, and they are currently in the same group in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier
- Bafana Bafana and the Super Eagles recently faced each other at the Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein, in the second leg of the qualifier
- The two African football powerhouses are set to meet again in another World Cup qualifier created by FIFA later this month
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South Africa and Nigeria's rivalry is not over this month (September) as they will battle each other in another World Cup qualifier organised by the football governing body, FIFA.
Source: Getty Images
Bafana Bafana got one over Nigeria again in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier as they held the Super Eagles to a 1-1 draw, despite Eric Chelle’s men needing all three points to move closer to South Africa in the standings in Group C.
The first leg of their encounter in the qualifiers also ended in a 1-1 draw at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium.
South Africa holds the upper hand between the two countries in the CAF qualifying series, as they are six points ahead of Nigeria and closer to qualifying for the World Cup scheduled for next year in North America.
The issue South Africa is still facing in the qualifying phase is not only Nigeria, but also the Benin Republic, which is breathing down their neck in second place. Additionally, there is an issue with fielding an ineligible player, Teboho Mokoena, against Lesotho in one of the matches, which could result in a three-point deduction if they are found guilty.
SA to face Nigeria in eSports WC
In a recent update, South Africa has been drawn against Nigeria once again, and the two countries will clash in the 2025 FIFA eSports World Cup qualifier.
According to Konami, a total of 16 African nations will compete in the qualifiers, but only two will secure places at the FIFAe World Cup taking place later this year in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
The draw has placed the 16 nations into two groups of eight teams each, with only the group winners advancing to the global tournament in Saudi Arabia.
The eSports World Cup is not as popular among football fans as the FIFA World Cup, but this qualifier will renew the bitter rivalry between Mzansi and Nigeria, with both countries’ citizens wanting their nation to advance, especially Nigerians seeking revenge.
Source: Getty Images
South Africa and Nigeria find themselves in Group B, alongside Senegal, Egypt, the Ivory Coast, Comoros, Madagascar, and Seychelles.
The FIFAe World Cup is a three-day tournament that will take place from December 10 to December 13, 2025.
Bafana face new threat over fielding ineligible player
Briefly News earlier reported that Bafana face a fresh World Cup qualifier controversy after CAF and FIFA were urged to deduct three points over claims of fielding an ineligible player against Lesotho.
The South African national team now have another threat to worry about after holding Nigeria to a 1-1 draw in Bloemfontein.
Source: Briefly News
