South Africa could deal a definitive blow to Nigeria’s diminishing World Cup qualification hopes when the two nations meet in Bloemfontein.
Bafana Bafana lead Group C and are six points clear of their visitors going into the clash, with Nigeria at ever-increasing peril of missing out on successive tournament finals.
The Super Eagles enter their seventh match of qualifying with 10 points out of a possible 21, having been let down by their string of four draws.
Defeat in South Africa could down Nigeria’s hopes of automatic qualification for good, which would force a drastic turnaround in fortunes in order to book their flight to the United States – one that would need to see them end the campaign as one of the four best runners-up in the African qualifying section.
Here’s everything you need to know ahead of the clash:
When is South Africa vs Nigeria?
The World Cup qualifier between South Africa and Nigeria kicks off at 5pm BST on Tuesday 9 September at the Toyota Stadium in Bloemfontein, South Africa.
How can I watch it?
Viewers in the United Kingdom can watch the match live via the Fifa+ streaming service.
Team news
South Africa will likely be forced into at least two changes after Nyiko Mobbie and Thabo Brendon Moloisane were replaced due to injury against Lesotho. Burnley frontman Lyle Foster scored and assisted in that game and will be expected to keep his place up top.
Nigeria, meanwhile, will be without star striker Victor Osimhen after he hobbled off with a foot injury 32 minutes into Saturday’s 1-0 win over Rwanda. New Wolves striker Tolu Arokodare could start in his stead after scoring the decisive goal in that game.
Predicted line-ups
South Africa XI: Williams; Mdunyelwa, Ndamane, Mbokazi, Modiba; Mokoena, Mbatha; Nkota, Mbule, Appollis; Foster.
Nigeria XI: Nwabali; Osayi-Samuel, Troost-Ekong, Bassey, Aina; Onyeka, Ndidi; Iwobi, Simon, Lookman; Arokodare.
Odds
South Africa win 5/3
Draw 19/9
Nigeria win 2/1
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