Nigeria’s World Cup Dream Stalls After Costly 1-1 Draw with South Africa
Nigeria’s quest to secure a place in the upcoming FIFA World Cup encountered a significant obstacle following their 1-1 draw against South Africa during the eighth round of qualifying matches.
This result has positioned South Africa at the top of their qualifying group with 17 points, while Nigeria currently sit in second place with 11 points, though their standing may be subject to change depending on other group results.
The match saw South Africa gain an early advantage through an unfortunate own goal scored by Nigeria’s William Troost-Ekong. However, the Nigerian side managed to restore parity before the interval when Calvin Bassey found the back of the net.
Looking ahead, Nigeria will have two crucial opportunities to improve its qualifying position when the campaign resumes in October. The team is scheduled to face Lesotho and the Benin Republic in their final two group-stage encounters—matches that could prove decisive for their World Cup ambitions.
The draw represents a missed opportunity for Nigeria to take control of their qualifying group, and they will need strong performances in their remaining fixtures to secure their place in the global tournament.
