Nigeria Protest Venue for Crucial 2026 World Cup Qualifier Between South Africa and Super Eagles
- The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) have expressed their displeasure over the choice of venue ahead of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers
- Bafana Bafana will host the Super Eagles at the Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein next Tuesday, September 9
- Coach Higo Broos has announced his final 23-man squad that will prosecute their double qualifiers this month
PAY ATTENTION: AI deepfakes are becoming the new normal online. Learn how to spot them with our free fact-checking course. Join today!
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) are putting in place machinery to ensure the Super Eagles qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The three-time AFCON champions failed to make it to the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, after playing a 1-1 draw against Black Stars of Ghana at the Moshood Abiola Stadium.
The NFF engaged Eric Chelle to succeed former Super Eagles coach Finidi George, who resigned after failing to win a match in two games in charge.
Source: Getty Images
The former Mali gaffer was mandated to qualify the Super Eagles for the World Cup in the USA, Canada, and Mexico. Failure to qualify will mean the Franco-Malian gets his contract terminated.
NFF protests venue of qualifiers
The Nigeria Football Federation have lodged a protest to the Confederation of African Football (CAF) for a change in venue against South Africa.
According to football journalist Ojora Babatunde, popularly known as OjbSports, the NFF sighted concerns over the bad state of the pitch.
He explained that the NFF are pushing to ensure the match is played at the FNB Stadium in Johannesburg. OjbSports wrote:
"The Super Eagles of Nigeria are protesting the choice of Bloemfontein as the venue for their World Cup qualifier against South Africa, citing concerns over the ‘pitch quality’.
"Nigeria are pushing for the match to be relocated to Johannesburg instead."
Bafana Bafana will host Nigeria at the Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein on September 9, three days after playing Lesotho.
The first leg in June 2024 ended in a 1–1 draw in Uyo, with South Africa’s Themba Zwane opening the scoring in the 30th minute before Fisayo Dele-Bashiru equalised early in the 47th minute, per Punch.
South Africa are top of the CAF qualification Group C with 13 points, with Rwanda and Benin having 8 points, while Nigeria has 7 points after six matches, per TnTSports.
Source: Getty Images
Broos names Nigeria player in South Africa squad
South Africa head coach Hugo Broos has downsized his initial 48-man squad to 23 ahead of next month's crucial matches against Lesotho and Nigeria.
The list, which Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates players dominated, also featured six foreign-based players, including Premier League star Lyle Forster.
A notable inclusion on the list was Hannover 96’s Ime Okon, who is of Nigerian descent. He was was born in South Africa to a Nigerian father and a South African mother. He came through the ranks at Supersport United academy.
Hugo Broos breaks silence over possible 3 point deduction
Legit.ng earlier reported that head coach of South African national football team, Hugo Broos, has finally opened up to reports that his team could lose three points in the World Cup qualifiers.
Hugo Broos said his team will focus on the upcoming matches against Lesotho and Nigeria.
Source: Legit.ng
