World - World Cup
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by Devesh Jaganath in World Cup Predictions
The Free State Stadium will host the latest instalment of one of Africa’s most compelling football rivalries on Tuesday, when South Africa face Nigeria in the CAF World Cup Qualifiers. Bafana Bafana lead CAF Group C, while the Super Eagles are in third place after seven games. Check out our match prediction below!
While a three-point deduction for fielding an ineligible player earlier in the competition is still a possibility, South Africa is still in a strong position to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. They have 16 points from their seven matches so far and hold a five-point lead over second-placed Benin with three games to go.
Nigeria, on the other hand, have been some way off their best in this competition but managed to keep their qualification hopes alive with a gritty victory last week. The visitors trail the group leaders by six points, making this a must-win fixture to blow the race for top spot in Group C wide open. The stage is set - to the key stats!
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The Best Betting Odds for South Africa v Nigeria Match
| Bookmaker | 1 | X | 2 | Bonus up to |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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2.55 | 3 | 2.8 |
|
|
2.6 | 2.88 | 2.88 |
|
|
2.5 | 3 | 2.9 |
|
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2.6 | 2.9 | 2.9 |
|
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2.4 | 2.95 | 2.95 |
|
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What is the prediction for the football match between South Africa and Nigeria?
Our prediction for the South Africa vs Nigeria match is: South Africa draw no bet.
Probabilities according to our algorithm* of possible 1X2 football predictions and best odds for the match on 09/09/2025 between South Africa and Nigeria in World Cup :
- The Sportytrader ⭐ algorithm estimates a probability of 34.19% for a win of South Africa against Nigeria with odds of 2.62 at Vbet.
- The probability according to Sportytrader ⭐ for a draw between South Africa vs Nigeria is 42.87% with odds of 3.18 at Melbet.
- Our prediction model gives a 22.94% chance ⭐ for a win of Nigeria vs South Africa with odds of 2.95 at Unibet.
South Africa vs Nigeria Form
South Africa and Nigeria's standings in the World Cup
| Teams | Pts | P | W | D | L | GD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1
|
16 | 7 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 8 |
|
3
|
10 | 7 | 2 | 4 | 1 | 2 |
South Africa and Nigeria Last Matches
2/6 (33%)
3/6 (50%)
1/6 (17%)
Average stats (Last 6 matchs)
5 Sep 2025 - World Cup
18 Aug 2025 - African Nations Championship
15 Aug 2025 - African Nations Championship
11 Aug 2025 - African Nations Championship
8 Aug 2025 - African Nations Championship
15 Jun 2025 - COSAFA Cup
3/6 (50%)
3/6 (50%)
0/6 (0%)
Average stats (Last 6 matchs)
18 Aug 2025 - African Nations Championship
11 Aug 2025 - African Nations Championship
13 Jun 2025 - COSAFA Cup
10 Jun 2025 - COSAFA Cup
7 Jun 2025 - COSAFA Cup
6 Jun 2025 - International Friendlies
3/6 (50%)
2/6 (33%)
1/6 (17%)
Average stats (Last 6 matchs)
5 Sep 2025 - World Cup
15 Aug 2025 - African Nations Championship
8 Aug 2025 - African Nations Championship
15 Jun 2025 - COSAFA Cup
25 Mar 2025 - World Cup
15 Nov 2024 - AFCON
2/6 (33%)
2/6 (33%)
2/6 (33%)
Average stats (Last 6 matchs)
6 Sep 2025 - World Cup
19 Aug 2025 - African Nations Championship
12 Aug 2025 - African Nations Championship
5 Aug 2025 - African Nations Championship
6 Jun 2025 - International Friendlies
31 May 2025 - International Friendlies
4/6 (67%)
1/6 (17%)
1/6 (17%)
Average stats (Last 6 matchs)
6 Sep 2025 - World Cup
19 Aug 2025 - African Nations Championship
25 Mar 2025 - World Cup
18 Nov 2024 - AFCON
11 Oct 2024 - AFCON
7 Sep 2024 - AFCON
2/6 (33%)
2/6 (33%)
2/6 (33%)
Average stats (Last 6 matchs)
12 Aug 2025 - African Nations Championship
5 Aug 2025 - African Nations Championship
6 Jun 2025 - International Friendlies
31 May 2025 - International Friendlies
28 May 2025 - International Friendlies
21 Mar 2025 - World Cup
South Africa vs Nigeria Stats: Head to Head (H2H)
0 %
67 %
33 %
Average stats (last H2H results)
7 Jun 2024 - World Cup
7 Feb 2024 - AFCON
10 Jul 2019 - AFCON
South Africa - Nigeria: Form Analysis
South Africa are hoping to feature at a FIFA World Cup for the first time in over a decade. The last time they entered the main draw was when they hosted the global showpiece back in 2010.
Bafana Bafana produced a commanding performance to beat Lesotho 3-0 last week, extending their unbeaten run in these qualifiers to five matches, including victories in each of their last four.
The hosts have been especially impressive on home soil, winning all three of their WCQ home games to date, while scoring two or more goals in each. They have only lost one match at home in over two years.
However, South Africa are winless in their last four matches against Nigeria across all competitions!
Indeed, Nigeria came from a goal down to salvage a draw when these two met back in June last year and have not lost to this opponent since the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers in 2017.
However, the Super Eagles have been far from impressive in this WCQ qualifying cycle, with their 1-0 victory over Rwanda on Saturday being only the second win they’ve managed in seven matches (W2 D4 L1).
The visitors have split their three away games in this competition (W1 D1 L1). Notably, they have not beaten this opponent in South Africa in their last three attempts, dating back to 2013.
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South Africa & Nigeria Squad Analysis
The standout performer for South Africa against Lesotho last week was Burnley forward Lyle Foster, who provided a goal and an assist, and now has three goal involvements in his last two games.
Oswin Appollis also caught the eye, netting the team’s third goal of the afternoon, which also takes him to three goal involvements in this competition (1 goal, 2 assists).
However, that victory did come at a cost for Bafana Bafana, with Nyiko Mobbie sustaining an injury which has ruled him out for this match. Hugo Broos has called up Thabiso Monyane as his replacement.
Will Victor Osimhen feature for the Super Eagles in this crucial fixture?
The Galatasaray striker made a bright start against Rwanda over the weekend, but sustained an injury to his left leg, which forced him off in the first half of the match. Eric Chelle has confirmed that the 26-year-old is now a “major doubt”.
Rangers’ number nine Cyriel Dessers is the most likely to be given the nod if Osimhen is unable to start. However, Tolu Arokodare has put himself firmly in Chelle’s eyeline after scoring the winner against Amavubi off the bench.
After returning to the national team after over three months, Ademola Lookman was arguably the pick of the Super Eagles’ players at the weekend. The Atalanta man will need to have another big impact here to keep his side’s qualification hopes intact.
South Africa - Nigeria Key Points
- South Africa are on a four-match win streak in this competition.
- South Africa have kept clean sheets in each of their last three matches in this competition.
- South Africa are unbeaten in their last seven home games across all competitions.
- Nigeria have only won two of their seven matches in this competition.
- Nigeria are winless in their last five away games across all competitions.
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Our South Africa vs Nigeria Prediction
While Nigeria have the slightly better record in this fixture in recent times, it is South Africa that enter this clash with all the momentum, riding a four-match win streak and unbeaten in five in this competition.
Despite getting the win against Rwanda on Saturday, Nigeria’s performance was far from convincing, and they may now be without the services of their talisman due to injury. We fancy the hosts to win this match, but we will opt for the safety of our money back on the draw as our primary wager. Our South Africa vs Nigeria prediction is South Africa draw no bet.
South Africa vs Nigeria - Other Interesting Predictions
Under 2.5
South Africa have kept clean sheets in each of their last three games in this competition, while six of Nigeria’s seven WCQ matches have ended with under 2.5 goals. Additionally, fewer than three goals were scored in regulation time in five of the last six matches between these sides.
Get up to £30 to bet on the South Africa vs. Nigeria game
You can get yourself up to €150 in matched bets for the battle between South Africa and Nigeria when you join Betway. To get the free bet, your first accumulator bet needs to be a losing one. If your first bet wins, then you won't get the free bet, but you'll have your winnings for further fun on World Cup!
South Africa vs Nigeria match : Frequently asked questions
The CAF World Cup Qualifier match between South Africa and Nigeria will take place on September 9 at 16:00 GMT.
The CAF World Cup Qualifier match between South Africa and Nigeria will be played at the Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein.
The CAF World Cup Qualifier match between South Africa and Nigeria will be broadcast live on SuperSport across most of Africa, and on TNT Sports in the UK.
Alternatively, you can keep up with all the action using our FIFA World Cup livescore tool.
All tips are fully researched and given in good faith, but profits cannot be guaranteed.
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