Nigeria’s dream of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup was all but dashed after they failed to beat South Africa in Bloemfontein.
The Super Eagles trailed their hosts by six points coming into the match, a deficit which they could have halved with a win, but an own goal from William Troost-Ekong and a headed effort from Calvin Bassey meant the game finished all square.
Eric Chelle’s side must now win both of their remaining qualifiers and have South Africa lose both of theirs in order to secure a World Cup berth. They also need to better Bafana Bafana’s goal difference, which they currently trail by six.
It was a must-win match for Nigeria, then, but their outing could not have started in more frustrating fashion.
After losing talisman striker Victor Osimhen through injury ahead of the clash, Ola Aina was struck down with a hamstring issue with just six minutes played.
Nigeria’s tough start continued as Bright Osayi-Samuel, Aina’s replacement, was dispossessed in the box to hand Oswin Appollis the first shooting chance of the evening, though he was denied by a smart parry from Stanley Nwabali.
Al-Ettifaq’s Mohau Nkota made a nuisance of himself on the right flank throughout the evening and forced the opener with a low cross after 25 minutes. Troost-Ekong, Nigeria’s captain on the night, tripped over his own feet and bundled the ball into his own net before being hooked at half-time.
Bafana Bafana pushed to extend the advantage, hammering the Nigerian back line in a convincing spell after the goal, but could not find a way through as Chelle’s side slowly grew into the occasion.
Bassey emerged as the Super Eagles’ unlikely hero moments before half-time, rising highest in the box to head home clumsily from Fisayo Dele-Bashiru’s cross.
His shot appeared to deflect off his own arm, but the absence of VAR meant the goal stood.
A goalless second half was not without chances. Both sides went close, with Tolu Arokodare particularly threatening after his half-time introduction, but neither could find the all-important winner.
Christantus Uche was introduced late on as the Super Eagles pushed to claim all three points, but he shot well wide from the edge of the area deep in injury time and Nigeria were forced to split the points.
