Nigeria and South Africa continued their recent trend of being incredibly evenly-matched with a thoroughly entertaining 1-1 draw at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo, Nigeria. Themba Zwane scored a brilliant opener in the first half for Bafana Bafana, but the Super Eagles got themselves back on level terms thanks to a similarly clinical finish from Fisayo Dele-Bashiru right at the start of the second half.
The visitors had a bright start in the first half and threatened to catch Nigeria on the break early, clipping the crossbar with Tehobo Mokoena's free-kick. Nothing could stop Themba Zwane just before the half-hour mark though, as he danced beyond three challenges before rifling the ball into the bottom corner for 1-0.
Khuliso Mudau and Elias Mokwana both missed chances to make it 2-0 before half-time, and Bafana Bafana were soon ruing those opportunities as Dele-Bashiru brilliantly turned on the edge of the box to slam in Nigeria's equaliser just 37 seconds after the restart.
The second half became littered with chances at both ends; Nigeria having the better chances, but seeing South Africa goalkeeper Ronwen Williams and his woodwork deny a number of efforts from Bright Osayi-Samuel, Samu Chukwueze, Ademola Lookman and Terem Moffi late on.
Nigeria dominated large spells of the second period having been below-par in the first, but Chukwueze striking the crossbar from close range and Atalanta star Lookman being heavily marked whenever he got the ball were signs that it wasn't going to be the Super Eagles' day.
South Africa continued their counter-attacking style and had opportunities of their own through Mokwana's scuffed shot and Percy Tau's huge miss from right in front. Chances aplenty, but no goals, and the two sides have to settle for a point apiece - a point which doesn't really help either in their mission to chase down surprise Group C leaders Lesotho.
| Nigeria | Stat | South Africa |
| 15 | Shots | 8 |
| 5 | Shots on target | 4 |
| 57% | Possession | 43% |
| 482 | Passes | 368 |
| 3 | Corners | 3 |
| 8 | Fouls | 16 |
| 1 | Yellow cards | 3 |
| 0 | Offsides | 11 |
MORE: Where is the 2026 World Cup final?
Nigeria vs. South Africa final score
| Full time | Goalscorers | |
| Nigeria | 1 | Fisayo Dele-Bashiru |
| South Africa | 1 | Themba Zwane |
Starting lineups:
Nigeria (4-4-2, right to left): Nwabali (GK) — Osayi-Samuel, Ajayi (80' Onyedika), Tanimu, Bassey — Dele-Bashiru (62' Abdullahi), Ndidi, Iwobi, Lookman — Iheanacho (67' Chukwueze), Onuanchu (80' Moffi).
South Africa (4-2-3-1): Williams (GK) — Rayners (71' Foster), Mudau, Ngezana, Modiba — Mokoena, Sithole — Mokwana (71' Appollis), Zwane (88' Aubaas); Mvala — Tau (81' Morena).
Nigeria vs. South Africa live updates, highlights from World Cup qualifier
FT: It's all over in Uyo, and the spoils are shared following a fantastically frenetic second half! Dele-Bashiru's equaliser just 37 seconds into proceedings set the tone for the remaining 45 minutes, with chances aplenty coming and going but neither side able to find the net!
The Super Eagles certainly went closest with Chukwueze hitting the crossbar, but they could've also seen the efforts from Lookman, Osayi-Samuel and Moffi go in had it not been for the typically impervious Ronwen Williams between the South African sticks.
A 1-1 draw is a somewhat fair reflection of the game, but doesn't do much for either side, who go into the fourth round of these World Cup qualifiers having won just a single match between them!
Plenty to work on for both teams, and we'll see you very soon to catch up with their progress next time!
90+5 mins: FULL TIME - NIGERIA 1-1 SOUTH AFRICA.
90+4 mins: Iwobi is picked out in space and looks to pick out a corner of the goal, but his miscues his shot massively and it flies well wide!
90+3 mins: ANOTHER STOP! Chukuweze plays Moffi in behind the Bafana Bafana defence and he's one-on-one with Williams. He looks to go around the goalkeeper, but Williams commits himself, dives at Moffi's feet, and comes up with the ball!
Straight up at the other end, Mvala surges down the let to play in Morena ahead of him, but the ball is slightly behind the Bafana Bafana substitute and Nwabali seizes upon the loose ball!
90+2 mins: SAVED AGAIN!! Lookman is picked out with a peach of a cross-field pass and cuts inside onto that right foot. He curls a strike towards the far corner, but Williams is equal to it and makes a fantastic fingertip save!
90 mins: FIVE added minutes to play on the end of the 90 in Uyo, and is that enough time for either of these sides to find that elusive winning goal?
88 mins: Another South African change sees them take off their goalscorer Zwane for Bathusi Aubaas to see out the final few minutes of this close-run contest.
87 mins: Osayi-Samuel cuts out an attacking pass and sends the Super Eagles forward on the break. Iwobi plays in Lookman to his left, but the wideman is twice denied by blocks from both Mudau and Ngezana!!
83 mins: Lookman steps inside another plethora of challenges before shooting low, but can only strike his shot into several Bafana Bafana bodies and is denied again.
81 mins: An attack-minded double change for the Super Eagles now, as Terem Moffi and Raphael Onyedika replace Onuachu and Ajayi respectively.
Tau also comes off for the visitors, with Thapelo Morena on to replace him up front.
79 mins: Zwane has a go with a first-time shot from the edge of the box, but the ball strikes an offside Tau on its way towards goal and the free-kick will go Nigeria's way!
77 mins: Ngezana put his body on the line to prevent a rebound from Chukwueze's earlier effort, and is now stretchered off for further treatment having been clattered by Lookman.
75 mins: OFF THE BAR - Nigeria won't go much closer than that!! Chukwueze sets off on his first really dangerous run of the game, and darts into the box before playing a one-two with Onuachu. He lifts the return ball over the onrushing Williams with a shot on the fly, but it comes back off the crossbar and is hoofed to safety by Mvula!
74 mins: WIDE - what a miss from South Africa!! Zwane cuts inside on the run and picks out Tau in acres of space to his right, but the striker has more time than hen realises and sends a first-time shot curling beyond the far post!! That's a huge left-off for the Super Eagles!
73 mins: Iwobi finds shooting space on the edge of the box and lets fly, but his scuffed effort is a poor one which sails well wide of the target!
72 mins: SAVED - Lookman's ball across the face is laid off by Onuachu to Osayi-Samuel, but the full-back's first-time shot is sent straight into the gloves of Williams!
71 mins: Off comes Mokwana and Rayners now with South Africa introducing attacking reinforcements, as Oswin Appollis and Lyle Foster enter the fray.
70 mins: Mokwana drills a low cross in towards Tau, but the Bafana Bafana forward is nowhere near it and Nwabali scoops things up.
67 mins: AC Milan winger Samuel Chukwueze is the next player brought on Finidi George in a bid to find the winner, and he'll replace Iheanacho in the Super Eagles' attack.
64 mins: Zwane scoops an aerial pass towards Rayners ahead of him, but the offside flag goes up as soon as the Bafana Bafana winger brings the ball down.
62 mins: Osayi-Samuel's cross is diverted behind for a corner as the Super Eagles make their first change, with Yusuf Abdullahi replacing the injured Dele-Bashiru - his goal just 37 seconds into the second half has this game locked at 1-1 as things stand, but Nigeria will be hoping to create something from the incoming corner!
60 mins: Play resumes following further treatment for Dele-Bashiru, but Zwane is crowded out by three Super Eagles defenders and loses possession right on the edge of the box!
57 mins: SAVED - A good ball up the left-hand side sees Zwane play Mokwana in behind, but the winger's first-time shot is scuffed and an easy one for Nwabali to hold!!
56 mins: YELLOW CARD - Ngezana blocks off the run of Onuachu as the duo contest a high ball, and the South Africa centre-back is the latest player who goes into the referee's book.
55 mins: Bafana Bafana got really lucky to get away with not conceding a penalty in that challenge, and Dele-Bashiru still isn't able to continue as he's helped from the field moving very gingerly!
53 mins: Lookman slips a ball through as Dele-Bashiru closes in, but he can't quite get on the end of it before being clattered by a South African defender as Williams scoops up the loose ball!
50 mins: Just as it finished after normal time in the AFCON semifinals, it's 1-1 between Nigeria and South Africa - can either side find a winner to take control of Group C in the remaining 40 minutes?
48 mins: Mudau slides in recklessly and clips Onuachu very late on halfway, earning himself a yellow card despite still coming off second-best in the challenge.
46 mins: GOOOOOOOOAAAAALLL!!!!! The Super Eagles are back on level terms 37 seconds into the second half!! Moving the ball high up the pitch straight away, Iwobi finds Dele-Bashiru in the box, who turns away from Mvala and lashes a low shot into the bottom-left corner!!! Nigeria 1-1 South Africa, and it's game on once again in Uyo!!
46 mins: Tau gets the action back underway for South Africa, with Bafana Bafana looking to see out the victory and claim three all-important World Cup qualification points.
HT: The teams return ahead of the second half in Uyo, and it's the hosts Nigeria who need to find some much better individual and team performances if they're to overturn South Africa's 1-0 lead in the next 45 minutes.
HT: It's Bafana Bafana who lead at the break thanks to that extremely well-taken goal from Zwane, who glided over three Nigeria challenges before slamming the ball home just before the half-hour mark.
South Africa have looked increasingly dangerous on the break through Tau, Mudau and Mokwana, while Mokoena also hit the crossbar with a free-kick early on.
They've also done very well to keep Lookman quiet, restricting him and the Super Eagles to an early shot of the the top and a cross which saw Williams make a good close-range save to deny Onuachu.
45+3 mins: HALFTIME - NIGERIA 0-1 SOUTH AFRICA.
45+2 mins: Lookman skips past three South African defenders on the left edge of the box, but his final ball into the middle is a poor one that's easy for Ngezana to cut out and clear.
45 mins: The assistant referee's board is up, and it says we'll play three additional minutes at the end of the first half.
44 mins: Lookman's mazy run inside tees up chances for both Iheanacho and Dele-Bashiru to shoot from the edge of the box, but both players see their efforts blocked as Bafana Bafana deal with the threat!
42 mins: SAVED!! Lookman cuts inside before finding Onuachu with a right-footed cross, but the big Super Eagles striker can't get enough power behind his downward header and Williams makes the stop from close range!
41 mins: Ndidi tries a shot from distance and sends a low strike goalwards, but his 30-yard effort is seen all the way and saved by Williams!
40 mins: WIDE!!! Tau's first-time flick across is met on the half-volley by Mokwana, whose side-footed shot whistles just past the side netting and behind in another let-off for the Super Eagles!
39 mins: Ndidi tries to play Iwobi in behind the defence on a continuing run, but his loose pass rolls beyond the Fulham midfielder and out for a goal-kick.
36 mins: CHANCE!!! Bafana Bafana set off on the break again, and Tau plays Mudau in behind the Super Eagles defence. Nwabali sprints off his line to steer the shot away, but it's still looping towards his goal before Ajayi gets back in time to head it over the bar!
34 mins: Iheanacho whips the Nigeria free-kick in towards the far post, but neither Ajayi nor Bassey can get on the end of an overhit cross which sails behind for a goal-kick.
32 mins: YELLOW CARD - Ajayi plays a lofted pass up the right wing towards Tanimu, but he's caught high and in mid-air by Modiba, who is shown a yellow card for that horror challenge!
29 mins: GOOOOAAAALLL BAFANA BAFANA!!! Zwane opens the scoring in sensational style!!! The forward plays a one-two with Sithole in the box and steps his way beyond three Nigerian challenges before firing the ball into the bottom-right corner! The Super Eagles are left motionless, and it's 1-0 to South Africa in Uyo!
28 mins: Ndidi and Tanimu play a one-two down the right as the Nigerian captain crosses with options in the middle, but it's Williams' ball all day long and the South Africa skipper makes the catch.
26 mins: Mokoena's poor delivery from a corner is caught with ease by Nwabali, whose long punt forward is controlled brilliantly by Iheanacho. He plays Dele-Bashiru in on the right, who twists and turns away from two defenders to win a throw-in on the break.
24 mins: Mokwana plays a ball over the top towards Tau, but Nwabali's there to make a confident catch before the Bafana Bafana forward can get there.
20 mins: A long ball forward from Nwabali is chased down by Iheanacho and Onuachu, but Williams charges out of his box to hammer it clear of the danger.
18 mins: Mokwana knocks the ball ahead with a surging run down the left-hand side. He bursts past Ajayi into the box, but can't bring it under control for a shot before Nwabali comes off his line to seize possession!
16 mins: OFF THE BAR!!! It is Mokoena stepping up, who looks to repeat his AFCON semifinal heroics against the Super Eagles but can only clip the top of the crossbar with his 20-yard effort!
15 mins: YELLOW CARD! The first booking of the evening is shown Osayi-Samuel's way after the Super Eagles fullback hauls Tau down right on the edge of his own box. The referee brandishes the yellow card, as Mokoena and Tau both stand over the coming free-kick.
14 mins: South Africa win their first corner when Modiba's cross is diverted behind by a sliding Tanimu, but the set-piece, played short between Tau and Sithole, comes to nothing.
12 mins: Ndidi clips a cross-field ball over to Lookman, but the Super Eagles forward's run into the box is stopped in its tracks by a great defensive recovery from Mvala!
10 mins: SAVED!!! Bafana Bafana break up the right-hand side and a low cross is played back to Mokoena on the edge of the box. The midfielder's fearsome strike is parried by Nwabali, and Rayners also sees his rebound effort saved before the offside flag goes up!
8 mins: OVER!!! Iwobi plays the ball wide to Lookman in Nigeria's first real chance, but the Atalanta winger's shot after cutting inside is blazed over the top!
7 mins: Mokoena plays a long ball over the top to Mokwana, but just as he's about to ring the ball down and shoot, the offside flag is raised on the far side.
5 mins: Iheanacho loses out to Sithole in midfield and Bafana Bafana counter, but Rayners is forced into a corner by Ajayi and dispossessed.
3 mins: Dele-Bashiru wins an early free-kick for Nigeria which Iheanacho swings into the box. Lookman brings the ball down and scoops a cross in towards the back post, but Onuachu can't steer it home after Mvala does just enough for force him into heading wide!
Kickoff: NIGERIA 0-0 SOUTH AFRICA. We're underway as the Super Eagles kick off through Ademola Lookman, and he'll be their dangerman right from the very start in Uyo.
5 mins before kickoff: The two sides are lined up in the tunnel at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, and head out onto the pitch as kickoff beckons in Uyo!
10 mins before kickoff: We're just 10 minutes away from two African nations with proud World Cup histories from renewing their rivalry, with South Africa having only defeated the Super Eagles once in their history.
That AFCON semifinal defeat was the latest in a string of winless games for Bafana Bafana, but you'd reckon both sides will be going all guns blazing tonight in a bid to get back to winning ways!
15 mins before kickoff: Bafana Bafana's starting lineup for this game is led by the dependable Ronwen Williams between the sticks and sees Percy Tau deputising as a striker up front.
There's unexpected shifts in positions too for Iqraam Rayners and Mothobi Mvala, who move into the defence and midfield respectively, while Burnley striker Lyle Foster could come off the bench.
30 mins before kickoff: Group C's current standings have been shaped by today's earlier results, with Benin and Lesotho beating Rwanda and Zimbabwe respectively.
It's worth remembering that this upcoming match as a rerun of the AFCON semifinal earlier this year, which Nigeria won after a 1-1 draw in extra time - are we set for another contest that will be decided by the narrowest of margins?
45 mins before kickoff: Nigeria have confirmed their starting lineup ahead of the first whistle at Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, with Wilfred Ndidi back in the fold and captaining the side.
The Super Eagles may be missing the world-class firepower of Napoli striker Victor Osimhen — but with Paul Onuachu up front, Europa League final hat-trick hero Ademola Lookman out wide, and Kelechi Iheanacho playing in behind, they've got plenty to offer in attack.
1 hour before kickoff: T-minus 60 minutes to go before we're underway in Uyo, in what is shaping up to be a must-win game for both sides.
South Africa and Nigeria sit fourth and fifth respectively in Group C, with Bafana Bafana able to go top of the group with a win. The Super Eagles could do likewise if they claim three points tonight, but will only displace Lesotho at the summit if they win by two goals or more.
2 hours before kickoff: Welcome to The Sporting News' live coverage of South Africa v Nigeria in a vital 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier in Uyo.
The visitors have endured a travel nightmare en route to Nigeria but Bafana Bafana have finally arrived!
Nigeria vs. South Africa kickoff time
This World Cup qualifier match takes place at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo, Nigeria and kicks off on Friday, June 7 at 8:00 p.m. local time.
Here's how that time translates across some of the major territories:
| Date | Kickoff time | |
| USA | Fri, Jun. 7 | 3:00 p.m. ET |
| Canada | Fri, Jun. 7 | 3:00 p.m. ET |
| UK | Fri, Jun. 7 | 8:00 p.m. BST |
| Australia | Sat, Jun. 8 | 5:00 a.m. AEST |
| India | Sat, Jun. 8 | 12:30 a.m. IST |
Group C standings
| Pos. | Team | GP | W-D-L | Goals For | Goals against | Points |
| 1. | Lesotho | 3 | 1-2-0 | 3 | 1 | 5 |
| 2. | Rwanda | 3 | 1-1-1 | 2 | 1 | 4 |
| 3. | Benin | 3 | 1-1-1 | 2 | 2 | 4 |
| 4. | South Africa | 3 | 1-1-1 | 3 | 4 | 4 |
| 5. | Nigeria | 3 | 0-3-0 | 3 | 3 | 4 |
| 6. | Zimbabwe | 3 | 0-2-1 | 1 | 3 | 2 |
Nigeria vs. South Africa lineups, team news, starting 11
Nigeria have been dealt a big blow as they will miss Napoli striker Victor Osimhen and captain William Troost-Ekong. Ahmed Musa and Kenneth Omeruo are not in the squad, and Nathan Tella requested to be excused.
Ademola Lookman remains a key player with four goals in his last six games and leads the line tonight. Bayer Leverkusen's Victor Boniface is back in the squad and on the bench, while Kelechi Iheanacho and Paul Onuachu pose threats playing up front alongside the Atalanta forward up front.
Nigeria starting lineup (4-2-3-1, right to left): Nwabali (GK) — Osayi-Samuel, Ajayi, Tanimu, Bassey — Ndidi, Onyedika — Lookman, Iwobi, Chukwueze — Boniface.
Nigeria subs (12): Ojo (GK), Moffi, Boniface, Onyeka, Abdullahi, Chukwueze, Awaziem, Olawoyin, Igboke, Ismaila, Okoye, Onyedika.
South Africa face injury concerns too. Kaizer Chiefs' Given Msimango replaces Grant Kekana. Newcomers include Orlando Pirates’ Nkosinathi Sibisi and Siyabonga Ngezana. However, key players like Ronwen Williams and Percy Tau available and both start tonight.
South Africa predicted lineup (4-2-3-1, right to left): Williams (GK) — Rayners, Mudau, Ngezana, Modiba — Mokoena, Sithole — Mvala, Zwane; Mokwana — Tau.
South Africa subs (9): Mothwa (GK), Goss (GK), Robbie, Msimango, Sibs, Morena, Mofokeng, Appollis, Adams, Aubaas, Foster, Maswanganyi.
Nigeria vs. South Africa live stream, TV channel
Here's how to watch this World Cup qualifying match across selected areas of the world's major regions:
| Region | TV | Streaming |
| International (selected regions) | — | FIFA+ |
For fans worldwide, Matchday 3 and Matchday 4 of the CAF qualifiers can be streamed on FIFA+ except in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. Highlights of all matches will also be available on FIFA+ globally.
In India, fans can stream the game via FanCode, while in South Africa, it will be broadcast on SABC Plus and SABC Sport.
If Nigeria vs. South Africa is not available to watch live in your location or if you’re traveling abroad, you can use a Virtual Private Network (VPN). VPNs offer a secure and private online connection, allowing you to bypass geographical restrictions to access your favorite streaming services from any device anywhere in the world.
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