Nigeria’s hopes of qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup took another heavy blow after the Super Eagles were held to a 1-1 draw by South Africa in Bloemfontein on Tuesday night.
The Super Eagles went into the qualifier knowing it was win-or-bust. Anything less than victory would leave their World Cup dream in serious jeopardy, and so it proved as they struggled to find a breakthrough against a resolute Bafana Bafana side.
An unfortunate own goal by captain William Troost-Ekong in the 25th minute put Nigeria behind, before Calvin Bassey rescued parity with a well-timed header just before half-time.
Despite pushing for a winner, Nigeria lacked cutting edge in the final third, badly missing injured talisman Victor Osimhen.
The team’s woes deepened further when Ola Aina limped off with a hamstring problem inside the opening 10 minutes.
The result leaves Nigeria six points adrift of group leaders South Africa, with just two matches remaining.
To have any chance of reaching the World Cup, the Super Eagles must now win both of their remaining qualifiers while hoping South Africa lose both of theirs, and still overturn a six-goal difference deficit.
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