CAF World Cup Qualifiers: Osimhen, Mobbie out for decisive South Africa-Nigeria WCQ clash
by Devesh Jaganath | by Devesh Jaganath
Bafana Bafana and Super Eagles’ qualification scenario
Nigeria arrive in Bloemfontein this week with their hopes of qualifying directly to the 2026 FIFA World Cup hanging by a thread - nothing less than all three points from this clash is the target.
Indeed, the Super Eagles have had an underwhelming World Cup qualifying campaign so far. After seven rounds, they trail the group leaders by six points and second-placed Benin by one, with only nine points still on the table.
The equation then is simple for Nigeria - they have to win all their remaining games and hope the sides above them slip up - you can check out our expert’s insights on this match via our South Africa vs Nigeria prediction.
South Africa will qualify for the 2026 World Cup if they beat Nigeria in this match and Benin drop points against Lesotho. If RSA-NGA ends in a draw, Bafana Bafana can still qualify, but the results in the other games in the group become crucial.
Potential FIFA points dock still a possibility
One factor that may still have a major impact on the qualification scenario in CAF Group C is what FIFA’s course of action will be regarding South Africa fielding an ineligible player earlier in the competition.
The player in question is Teboho Mokoena, who featured for Bafana Bafana in their 2-0 victory over Lesotho back in March. The Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder had picked up two yellow cards in the tournament and should have been suspended for the Lesotho clash.
In such instances, FIFA have typically docked the three points the team guilty of the infringement earned for the win. The governing body has not done so yet, but if they do, it will shake things up in Group C significantly.
Will injuries affect South Africa and Nigeria’s World Cup hopes?
While the increasing likelihood of FIFA docking three points from South Africa could improve Nigeria’s chances of topping Group C, that will only be the case if the Super Eagles win this evening’s match in Bloemfontein.
If Nigeria win this game, then a three-point reduction will bring South Africa within two points of the Super Eagles with two games still to go, effectively blowing the group wide open, with any of the top four sides likely to remain in contention.
However, Eric Chelle’s side was dealt a major blow in their last match against Rwanda, with Victor Osimhen sustaining an injury to his left leg, which has forced him to miss the trip to the Free State for this crucial World Cup qualifier.
South Africa’s victory over Lesotho also came at a cost, with Nyiko Mobbie picking up a knock that has ruled him out for this clash. Hugo Broos has called up Thabiso Monyane as his replacement.
