2026 WCQ: South Africa Stars Acknowledge Challenge Of Facing Nigeria

Mohau Nkota, the attacking midfielder for Bafana Bafana, has admitted that playing against Nigeria’s Super Eagles is always a formidable task. Following a convincing 3-0 victory over Lesotho at Free State Stadium, Bafana currently tops Group C with 16 points from seven matches, buoyed by four consecutive wins over Benin and Zimbabwe.

Benin sits in second place with 11 points, closely followed by the Super Eagles, who revitalised their ambitions with a hard-fought 1-0 win over Rwanda at Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo.

The Super Eagles will arrive in South Africa highly motivated, knowing a win in Bloemfontein would bring them within three points of Bafana. Their hopes of qualifying for the first 48-team World Cup in Mexico, Canada, and the US hinge on defeating Bafana, who may have three points deducted for fielding an ineligible player in their earlier match against Lesotho.

A victory for Bafana would elevate them to 19 points, providing a significant advantage in the quest for World Cup qualification, while a draw would maintain their six-point lead over the Super Eagles.

Despite the challenge, Nkota remains confident of a positive outcome. “We just have to continue where we left off against Lesotho. We must go all out for the three points to widen the gap at the top, and if we don’t secure the win, we’ll settle for a draw and move on,” he stated, as reported by Times Live.

Nkota, who scored against Lesotho, expressed his commitment to the team. “Whenever selected, I have a responsibility to contribute to the team,” he added.

Oswin Appollis, who also scored against Lesotho, anticipates a tough match against the motivated Super Eagles. “It’s going to be a difficult but exciting game against Nigeria because they have many quality players. We are ready for the fight.”