Image Source: Alamy Stock Photo
2026 World Cup qualifier
CAF Group C
Nigeria v South Africa
Godswill Akpabio International Stadium
Uyo, Nigeria
Friday, 7 June 2024
Kick-off is at 21h00
South Africa head coach Hugo Broos is hoping to mastermind a "shock" upset against Nigeria in a
2026 World Cup qualifier at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium on Friday, June 7.
The two nations are set to renew their rivalry just four months after going head-to-head in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations semi-finals which saw the Super Eagles come out on top via a penalty shootout.
However, the West Africans will pose a different challenge under Finidi George, who succeeded Jose Peseiro at the helm last month.
Peseiro adopted a defensive approach for the remainder of the tournament after being held to a 1-1 draw by Equatorial Guinea in their group opener and the system served them well.
But Broos has noted a shift in dynamics since George took over the reins, with his team much more offensive as they beat Ghana 2-1 and then lost 2-0 to Mali in the two friendlies in March.
Bafana Bafana and Nigeria are expected to fight it out for top spot in Group C, although Rwanda currently lead the way on four points after two matches.
Broos' side kicked off their campaign on a positive note after claiming a 2-1 victory over Benin on November 18, only to suffer a disappointing 2-0 defeat at the hands of the Wasps three days later.
Image Source: Alamy Stock Photo
The Super Eagles trail them by one point in third place, having played out to uninspiring 1-1 draws against Lesotho and Zimbabwe.
"We will try to shock them again," the Belgian tactician said. "It's a little bit different than the team we faced in AFCON. With Finidi George, they have a coach who thinks more offensively.
"Jose Peseiro was more defensive, as I saw in the game against us. He was always instructing the team to fall back.
"But I've seen two games against Mali and Ghana, and it's different now. They take more initiative. They're no longer the team that falls back and waits."
Head-to-Head (Last Five Meetings)
Matches - 5
Nigeria wins - 2
South Africa wins - 1
Draws - 2
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