South Africa draw 1-1 with Nigeria in Group C of the CAF qualifiers for the FIFA 2026 World Cup.
Printed On 9 Sep 2025
South Africa moved a step nearer to the FIFA 2026 World Cup with a 1-1 house draw with Nigeria, who’re left dealing with a nervy ultimate two qualifying matches within the Confederation of African Soccer (CAF) group phases.
Bafana Bafana took the lead within the Group C encounter at Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein, South Africa on Tuesday when Tremendous Eagles captain William Troost-Ekong put via his personal web within the twenty fifth minute.
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Calvin Bassey levelled for Nigeria when he headed house within the ultimate minute of the primary half.
The consequence moved South Africa six factors clear on the high of the group with two video games to play.
Nigeria climbed to second spot forward of Benin, who performed Lesotho within the day’s later sport, on objective distinction.
The Tremendous Eagles face Lesotho away on October 6 earlier than internet hosting Benin at house on October 13.
If Nigeria fail to complete within the high two of their group, they won’t qualify for the World Cup.
A primary-place end, which appears inevitable for South Africa with video games towards Zimbabwe and Rwanda to return, assures automated qualification.
Second place gives the possibility to be among the many 4 finest runners-up within the 9 teams of CAF qualifying teams that can progress to FIFA’s intercontinental playoffs for the 2026 finals.
Egypt coach celebrates regardless of World Cup wait
Egypt’s bid to safe World Cup qualification was placed on maintain after a 0-0 draw towards Burkina Faso in a flat Group A encounter in Ouagadougou on Tuesday.
Hossam Hassan’s unbeaten aspect moved to twenty factors and lead Group A by 5 factors forward of Burkina Faso, with two matches remaining within the qualifiers.
With solely the group winners qualifying robotically, the seven-time African champions want two factors from their final two video games to ensure their spot and a fourth look on the World Cup. They’ll face Djibouti and Guinea-Bissau in October.
Egypt coach Hassan, nevertheless, celebrated the consequence, which moved his aspect one step nearer to reaching the 48-team event to be held in North America subsequent 12 months.
“It’s an amazing day for the Egyptian folks… I wish to thank each participant for his or her efforts towards a tricky crew that has gamers within the Premier League, Bundesliga and Ligue 1,” Hassan, the previous Egypt striker who led them to the 1990 World Cup, advised the On Sport channel.
“Regardless of taking part in in Burkina Faso, we performed positively and created massive probabilities. On the similar time, we maintained stability. We might have scored one or two objectives earlier than the tip,” he added.
Egypt suffered an early setback when Manchester Metropolis ahead Omar Marmoush was pressured off via harm within the ninth minute.
Their finest second got here within the 67th minute when Mohamed Salah arrange Osama Faisal, however the substitute’s strike was dominated offside.
Egypt’s Trezeguet had the primary likelihood of the sport, however his effort was saved by Burkina Faso goalkeeper Herve Koffi.
The house aspect not often attacked, with Sunderland ahead Bertrand Traore main most of their finest efforts.
Egypt went near grabbing a winner within the ultimate moments, however Mostafa Mohamed missed two probabilities.
Hassan, Egypt’s all-time high scorer, would be the first to steer his aspect to the World Cup each as a participant and as a coach.
The 59-year-old coach stated: “My objective was to teach the Egyptian nationwide crew. I’ve all the time dreamed of that. I need to fulfil the followers’ dream and reside as much as their belief.”
