Nigeria arrives in Bloemfontein on Tuesday for a crucial 2026 World Cup qualifier against South Africa, with qualification for the three-time African Champions looking dreary with three matches to go. South Africa leads Group C with 16 points, six points ahead of the West Africans, who are third in the group standings, one point behind their neighbors, the Benin Republic. The Super Eagles of Nigeria must defeat South Africa to have any glimmer of making it to the World Cup, as only the group leaders and the four best runners-up will qualify. South Africa beat Lesotho last weekend, while Nigeria struggled to overcome Rwanda. The game is poised to be a tactical and tense affair, with the markets not sure of who to back. South Africa is the marginal favorite of the bookmakers.
Bet on South Africa vs Nigeria with Bet365
South Africa vs Nigeria Details
- Date: Tuesday, September 9, 2025
- Time: 18:00 CAT
- Venue: Toyota Stadium, Bloemfontein, South Africa
Where to Watch South Africa vs. Nigeria Live on TV or Stream
| Country | TV Channel/Stream |
|---|---|
| UK | FIFA+ |
| US | FIFA+ |
| Canada | FIFA+ |
| Africa | Supersport, SABC |
South Africa vs Nigeria Match Preview
South Africa: form and statistics
Bafana Bafana are in fine form at home in World Cup qualifying, beating Benin, Zimbabwe, and Lesotho so far. They have not lost to Nigeria at home since a friendly game back in 2013, with most of their fixtures ending in draws. With six points ahead of their biggest rivals in Group C, South Africa feels that this is a golden opportunity to make it to the FIFA World Cup for the first time since hosting in 2010. They must first scale the Nigerian hurdle, which has seen Bafana Bafana win once in eleven games. Hugo Broos’s side warmed up nicely for the Nigerian challenge with a routine 3-0 defeat of Lesotho last weekend. Technically, the away side, Bafana Bafana, the game was played in Bloemfontein, where the small kingdom has been playing its home games.
South Africa possible starting lineup:
Williams; Mdunyelwa, Ndamane, Mbokazi, Mediba, Mokoena, Mbatha, Nkota, Mbule, Appollis, Foster
Bet on South Africa vs Nigeria with Bet365Nigeria: form and statistics
The Super Eagles are in danger of missing out on successive World Cups. On 10 points and with three matches to go, Eric Chelle’s boys have to win all their games to have a chance of topping the South Africans and the Beninois. The Nigerian campaign has suffered from a lack of goals, leading to the Super Eagles drawing four games with only two wins. Against Rwanda, the star-studded Eagles huffed and puffed before Tolu Arokodare bundled the ball home from a goalmouth melee. Star attacker Victor Osimhen had left the pitch in the first half with another injury, with the Galatasaray player ruled out of the trip to South Africa.
Nigeria possible starting lineup:
Nwabali; Aina, Fredrick, Bassey, Onyemaechi, Onyedika, Ndidi, Iwobi, Simon, Lookman, Arokodare
South Africa vs Nigeria Match Prediction
South Africa are perfect on home soil with three wins from three games. But none of their opponents so far have the pedigree of Nigeria. The Super Eagles are desperate and have a better head-to-head against South Africa. They will likely be on the front foot, however, with a blunt attack, it may be hard to break down the Bafana Bafana. Hugo Broos will likely play for a draw, which will throw a spanner in the chances of the Super Eagles qualifying. We predict a low-scoring encounter and go for under 2.5 goals.
South Africa vs Nigeria Betting Odds
| Bookmakers | Under 2.5 | Over 2.5 |
|---|---|---|
| Bet365 | 1.40 | 2.87 |
| 1xbet | 1.45 | 2.74 |
| Betway | 1.41 | 2.60 |
