Nigeria’s 2026 FIFA World Cup hopes hang in the balance as the Super Eagles prepare for a decisive Group C showdown with Bafaana Bafana — but they will have to do it without star striker Victor Osimhen.
The 26-year-old Galatasaray forward limped off in the first half of Saturday’s 1-0 win over Rwanda in Uyo, and team officials have since confirmed he will not travel to Bloemfontein for Tuesday’s crunch tie at the Toyota Stadium. His absence robs Nigeria of their most potent attacking weapon, a player who has consistently delivered in key qualifiers.
Osimhen’s setback is a huge blow for coach Eric Chelle, who watched his side labour past Rwanda thanks to a scrappy Emmanuel Arokodare strike. Kaizer Chiefs goalkeeper Fiacre Ntwari produced a string of superb saves to frustrate the Nigerians and keep the scoreline respectable.
Pressure on Nigeria
The victory moved the Super Eagles to third in Group C with 10 points, six adrift of leaders South Africa and one behind second-placed Benin. Only the group winners are guaranteed a place at the World Cup, meaning anything less than three points in Bloemfontein could all but end Nigeria’s qualification hopes.
For Bafana Bafana, the equation is simpler. A 3-0 win over Lesotho last Friday has them in pole position. Victory over Nigeria would almost certainly book their ticket to the global showpiece, their first since hosting the tournament in 2010.
South Africa coach Hugo Broos has urged focus, while midfielder Oswin Appollis insists the squad is not getting carried away: “We know it’s going to be very difficult, so the most important thing is how to be successful on Tuesday and overcome Nigeria.”
Wider Group Picture
Benin, currently second, remain firmly in contention, while Rwanda’s spirited performance against Nigeria shows they cannot be discounted. Lesotho sit fifth with one win, while Zimbabwe’s Warriors remain bottom of the group without a single victory, their campaign all but over.
The Bigger Stakes
With Osimhen sidelined, Nigeria must rely on the likes of Ademola Lookman and Cyriel Dessers to unlock South Africa’s defence in what is shaping up to be a classic African qualifier. For the Super Eagles, it is truly now or never.