The Super Eagles will be desperate for all three points when they face Group C leaders South Africa in Bloemfontein tomorrow, September 9, in a decisive 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier.

Nigeria will be without injured talisman Victor Osimhen, but head coach Eric Sekou Chelle insists his side can grind out a result, even if it comes “by an odd goal.”

The Eagles have shown signs of revival under Chelle after a poor start to the qualifiers, where they managed just three points from their opening four matches. Since then, they have picked up seven points from three games, including a narrow 1-0 win over Rwanda in Uyo on Saturday, courtesy of Tolu Arokodare’s decisive strike.

That victory lifted Nigeria to third place with 10 points, behind Benin (11) and leaders South Africa (16). Rwanda sit fourth on eight points, while Lesotho and Zimbabwe have six and four points, respectively.

Nigeria trail Bafana Bafana by six points, but the gap could shrink to three if FIFA sanctions South Africa for allegedly fielding ineligible midfielder Teboho Mokoena against Lesotho. That possibility makes tomorrow’s clash all the more critical in determining both teams’ qualification fate.

“If we win 1-0 in South Africa, we will be happy,” Chelle said after the Rwanda match. “The most important thing is the three points.”

For South Africa, a home win would virtually guarantee a place at the 2026 World Cup, their first appearance since hosting in 2010. However, they would also need Benin to drop points against Lesotho in Abidjan.

Bafana coach Hugo Broos, speaking after his side’s 3-0 win over Lesotho in Bloemfontein, cautioned against complacency.

“It was not so easy today, it was a very nervous game,” Broos told SABC Sport. “We did what we had to do and scored beautiful goals. We are in a good position, but we still haven’t qualified. We have it in our hands, and we will try not to give it away.”

With Nigeria eager to bounce back after missing Qatar 2022 and South Africa looking to secure an early ticket, tomorrow’s encounter has all the makings of a make-or-break battle.