South Africa 1-1 Super Eagles: Another World Cup Without Nigeria As Qualification Hopes End

South Africa 1-1 Super Eagles: Another World Cup Without Nigeria As Qualification Hopes End

..Back-to-back World Cup Absence Confirmed After Draw with South Africa

By Niyi Busari 

Super Eagles have officially missed out on qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, marking a consecutive absence from football’s biggest global tournament, BSNSports.com.ng reports.

The three-time African champions were held to a 1-1 draw by South Africa on Tuesday, a result that was insufficient to secure a top spot in Group C. The match, played in Bloemfontein, saw both teams pushing hard for a win, but ultimately settling for a point each.

An own goal by Super Eagles captain William Troost-Ekong in the 25th minute handed the advantage to the hosts. However, defender Calvin Bassey headed Nigeria back into contention just before the break, equalizing in the 45th minute and momentarily reigniting hopes of qualification.

Despite a spirited second-half display from both sides, neither team was able to break the deadlock, and the match ended in a draw.

With this result, Nigeria moves up to second place in Group C, leapfrogging Benin Republic on goal difference, but still trailing group leaders South Africa, who top the table with 17 points. Only group winners from the African qualifiers will advance directly to the 2026 World Cup, leaving Nigeria out of contention.

This marks the second consecutive World Cup the Super Eagles will miss. In 2022, Nigeria failed to qualify after drawing 1-1 on aggregate with arch-rivals Ghana. That outcome was decided on away goals, with a goalless draw in Kumasi followed by a 1-1 draw in Abuja.

Nigeria’s qualification hopes resurrected last weekend with a narrow 1-0 loss to Rwanda at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo. That result placed immense pressure on the team to deliver a win in Bloemfontein — a task they ultimately could not accomplish.