Nigeria Super Eagles’s road to the 2026 FIFA World Cup is set for a decisive stretch, with dates now confirmed for crucial qualifiers against Rwanda and South Africa in early September.
The Super Eagles will first host Rwanda’s Amavubi on Saturday, 6 September, at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo, before travelling to South Africa for a high-stakes clash against Bafana Bafana on Tuesday, 9 September.
That fixture will take place at the 46,000-capacity Toyota Stadium in Bloemfontein, with kick-off scheduled for 5pm Nigerian time (6pm South African time), according to the Nigeria Football Federation.
The encounter in Bloemfontein, previously known as Vodacom Park and Free State Stadium, is expected to be a defining moment in Africa’s Group C qualification race.
The ground holds historical significance, having been one of the host venues for the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
With only the top team in each group guaranteed a place at the 2026 tournament in the United States, Mexico and Canada, the pressure is mounting on Nigeria.
Eric Chelle’s men have taken just one win from their first four matches in the group, making the upcoming double-header a must-win scenario if the Super Eagles are to keep their qualification hopes alive.
Their opponents, South Africa, under the confident tactician Hugo Boss, are currently the group leaders with 13 points from six matches, six more than the Super Eagles.
A win for the Bafana Bafana will end Nigeria’s chances of finishing top of the World Cup qualifying Group C.
South Africa, however, remain at the risk of a potential three-point deduction following an administrative error.
Nigeria failed to qualify for the last edition of the World Cup after succumbing to Ghana’s Black Stars in the final playoff round.
Failure to make it to the 2026 Mundial will be the first time that the Super Eagles will miss consecutive editions of the tournament since making their first appearance in 1994.
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