South Africa vs Nigeria: Super Eagles mathematically out of World Cup after draw against Bafana Bafana

Nigeria's Super Eagles were only able to get a 1-1 draw in South Africa, all but ending their hopes of reaching the 2026 World Cup.

Despite Calvin Bassey's goal cancelling out William Troost-Ekong's own goal, the draw leaves Nigeria six points behind South Africa with only two matches left in the group, effectively leaving the Super Eagles at the mercy of CAF and FIFA's ruling on the Bafana Bafana fielding an ineligible player to stand any chance of playing at the World Cup.

After a tense opening quarter hour, South Africa forced the first save of the match from Nigeria’s Stanley Nwabali, who looked more composed in goal after a shaky last outing.

Nigeria failed to heed the early warning from South Africa as Bafana Bafana took the lead via a disastrous own goal from Super Eagles captain William Troost-Ekong.

As the game ebbed towards half-time, Nigeria equalised through an unlikely source as defender Calvin Bassey scored his first ever goal for the Super Eagles to send the teams into the break level at 1-1.

Although the ball appeared to come off Bassey’s hand on the way in, a lack of VAR in the stadium allowed the referee’s oversight to stand.

A cagey second half left both sides starving of good chances, despite Nigeria bringing on Tolu Arokodare, who was the hero against Rwanda.

The new Wolves striker came closest to scoring for Nigeria, as his effort from a tight angle grazed the front of South Africa's goal late in the second half.

At the end of 90 minutes, the Super Eagles were forced to settle for a point in Bloemfontein, leaving them on 11 points, while South Africa top the group with 17.