Super Eagles Stars Boast Ahead of Facing South Africa: “We Are Going to the World Cup”
- Super Eagles stars are confident ahead of Nigeria’s crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier against South Africa
- Nigeria take the morale boost from defeating Rwanda in Uyo to face the table toppers Bafana Bafana in Bloemfontein
- The Super Eagles will be without Galatasaray forward Victor Osimhen after withdrawing due to a leg injury
Super Eagles stars Samuel Chukwueze and Stanley Nwabali are confident of victory against South Africa in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier.
Nigeria will face Group C leaders Bafana Bafana in a must-win match at the Toyota Stadium in Bloemfontein on Tuesday, September 9, 2025.
Source: Twitter
The Super Eagles head into the match after beating Rwanda 1-0 at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo, while South Africa defeated neighbours Lesotho 3-0.
According to The Observer, a win for South Africa moves them closer to qualifying for the first World Cup since hosting it in 2010, while it will end Nigeria’s hopes totally.
Nwabali, Chukwueze confident of victory
According to the NFF, the Nigerian contingent arrived in Bloemfontein on Sunday evening and will train at the Toyota Stadium on Monday evening, excluding the injured Victor Osimhen.
Goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali and winger Samuel Chukwueze spoke to NFF TV before their training session and expressed confidence going into the match.
“South Africa is a strong team, and we have a good team as well. They are first in the group, but we are Nigeria and we have a good team also. We can compete with them, and I think by the grace of God, we would get a good result here,” Chukwueze said.
“The most important thing for us is to come here and win. We are really focused on that, we would be at the World Cup, 100% sure, but we all just need all Nigerians’ support.
“We need everyone rooting for us, and it's up to us to make it. I believe in this team; we have so many great talents, and we have to qualify, that's the most important thing.”
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Nwabali, who is based in South Africa and plays for Premier Soccer League side Chippa United, is also confident Nigeria will pick up the three points.
“I feel like we have a very strong squad to match any country. I don't see it like a really big thing to us; we respect them [South Africa], they are doing well, even topping the group, he said.
“It is going to be a tough game tomorrow, but I have a feeling we would come out strong.”
Source: Getty Images
The Chippa United captain admits that Nigeria will approach the match differently from the Rwanda match as every match has a distinct game plan.
“Every game has its own plan, you might watch them against Lesotho, Rwanda, Zimbabwe and some other teams, but you know when it comes to Nigeria, it will be a different approach, likewise other countries coming to play against Nigeria,” he added.
“It's going to be a really tough game tomorrow, but I feel that we are going to win that game.”
Ekong defends Nwabali
Legit.ng reported that Super Eagles captain William Troost-Ekong defended Nwabali after the goalkeeper’s dirty theatrics against Rwanda on Sunday.
Nigerian football fans questioned Nwabali's dark arts against the Rwandan attackers, particularly after he picked up a yellow card, and still going at them.
Source: Legit.ng
