Super Eagles v Bafana Bafana: Match preview, what to expect, confirmed team news, key players, kickoff time

The Super Eagles will face South Africa on matchday 3 of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification campaign on Friday night.

Nigeria are still waiting for their first victory of the qualification series having drawn their first two games against Lesotho and Zimbabwe respectively.

On the other hand, the Bafana Bafana will be hoping to return to bounce back from the defeat to Rwanda in their last qualification game though won in their opening encounter with Benin

Match preview

Nigeria have lost just twice against South Africa and have gotten the better of them on eight different occasions.

They also have a very good record playing at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium which is the turf for tomorrow's encounter,having lost there once albeit the defeat came against South Africa.

The three-time African champions haven't had the best of preparation for the game with key players Ademola Lookman, Alex Iwobi and six others joining the squad late and will also be without star striker Victor Osimhen who will miss the tie due to an injury.

South Africa will be without right-back Grant Kekana who featured against Nigeria at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations but should be fine without him particularly with goalkeeper Ronwen Williams looking all clear to feature for the game after concerns regarding his fitness.

Without any iota of doubt, the Super Eagles are the favorite heading into the game, boasting of a better head-to-head record, form, and quality than Hugo Broos' side.

What to expect

The Super Eagles will be playing their first competitive game under new coach Finidi George .

Regardless of the formation, Nigeria are expected to dominate the game, being the team with the better quality and by virtue of playing at home.

South Africa play with a 4-2-3-1 formation but we could see a change of formation due to the surrounding circumstances of the game.

This wouldn't mean the one-time African champions will not cause any havoc go their host as they must also avoid defeat to boost their qualification chances.

Confirmed team news

At the pre-match press conference, both coaches played down injury worries, with Nigeria boss Finidi George stating that Samuel Chukwueze and Chidozie Awaziem have resumed full training after recovering from their ailments. 

Hugo Broos insisted that Mamelodi Sundowns players Khuliso Mudau, Teboho Mokoena, Aubrey Modiba, Bathusi Aubaas and Ronwen Williams are in tiptop condition for Friday's clash. 

Key players

1.Ademola Lookman (Nigeria): He was the Super Eagles' best forward at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations and continued that impressive form with Atalanta, most notably scoring a hat-trick in the final of the UEFA Europa League against Victor Boniface's Bayer Leverkusen.

The former Everton forward will need to be at his clinical best to aid the chances of Nigeria getting the maximum points. 

2. Wilfred Ndidi (Nigeria): The Leicester City midfielder is back in the fold after missing AFCON due to injury and will be expected to help the Super Eagles control tomorrow's field.

3. Percy Tau (South Africa) : The 30-year-old is one of the most experienced in the side and Broos will be needing him to cause havoc on the Nigerian defence.

He has played four matches against the Super Eagles in the past, scoring one goal and registering an assist. 

4. Teboho Mokoena (South Africa): The 27-year-old dictates the flow of Hugo Broos' side, averaging more passes and key passes per game for the team in AFCON.

Bafana Bafana will have to get him on the ball as much as possible if they are to get past Nigeria. 

Venue and kickoff time 

The game will take place at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State and the first blast of the whistle will be at 2000 Nigerian time.

Abdulkareem Abdulhamid

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