Super Eagles' World Cup Qualification Hopes Hang in Balance After 3 Draws

Super Eagles chance losing out on another world glass after 3 draws in 1st 3 qualifiers

The Super Eagles of Nigeria were beaten to a 1-1 draw by fierce rivals South Africa on Friday at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo during the third round of 2026 World Cup qualifiers.

Themba Zwane's goal in the 31st minute put Bafana Bafana ahead, but Fisayo Dele-Bashiru's first goal for Nigeria in the 46th minute gave the Eagles a point.

The result means that the Eagles, who still have seven games left, are in fifth place in Group C with three points, having lost their last three games.

Nigeria had a bright start, as Ademola Lookman's effort in the eighth minute went over the crossbar.

South Africa countered with a long ball in the tenth minute, but goalie Stanley Nwabali easily recovered it to avoid any danger.

In the sixteenth minute, Bright Osayi-Samuel came in to stop Bafana Bafana from applying more pressure. He fouled dangerous attacker Percy Tau and received a yellow card in the process.

The home crowd at the crammed Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo felt relieved when Tau's subsequent free-kick struck the Nigerian bar.

In the 31st minute, Bafana Bafana's attack paid off when Themba Zwane weaved his way in through the Nigerian box from the left flank. His strike into the right corner gave the visitors a 1-0 lead and calmed the stunned home crowd at the stadium as he deftly sidestepped three defenders.

Five minutes later, Tau chipped the ball over Nwabali to give South Africa a second goal. However, Tanzanian defender Benjamin Tanimu headed the striker's goal-bound shot for a corner.

Zwane missed a chance to double his lead and put his shot into the side netting when it was easier to score, posing a further threat.

The Nigerians had their moments as well. Semi Ajayi, a powerful defender, went off.

The Nigerians had their moments as well. In the fortyth minute, as big defender Semi Ajayi scored with a strong effort from outside the area. A moment later, Paul Onuachu, a striker, received an inch-perfect pass from Ademola Lookman, and Ronwen Williams, the South African goalkeeper, safely collected his attempt.

The Super Eagles coach Stephen Keshi, who passed away on June 7, 2018, was remembered with a minute of silence as Bafana Bafana went into halftime with a slim advantage.

Shortly after the restart, midfielder Fisayo Dele-Bashiru scored the equalizer off an assist from Alex Iwobi, setting off wild celebrations among the Uyo spectators.

The Eagles relentlessly hunted a winning goal with five minutes of added time remaining in the game. They applied pressure to the South African defence, and in the 91st minute, they forced the excellent Williams into an incredible save from a curled effort by Lookman. A few moments later, Moffi's goal-bound shot was cleared by the alert goalkeeper once more.