Bafana seek revenge as Eagles unleash Lookman, Boniface on S/Africa today

At every given opportunity, South Africa’s Coach, Hugo Broos, is quick to tell his listeners that his team is only interested in garnering the points that would aid them to qualify for the 2026 World and nothing more.

He dismisses any talk of seeking revenge on Nigeria for denying his team opportunity to play in their first Africa Cup of Nations final since they lost the title to Egypt in Burkina Faso 1998.

But from his players’ mien and reports in South African media, one gets the impression that the Bafana Bafana are still pained by their loss to Nigeria in Cote d’Ivoire and see this 2026 World Cup qualifier in Uyo as opportunity to heal the wounds from that semifinal defeat.

The South Africans flew into Port Harcourt on Wednesday night via a chartered flight and arrived in Uyo yesterday morning to prepare for today’s battle.
In an interview just before departing for Nigeria, Broos told the media that Nigeria was lucky to beat his team at the AFCON, adding that even though 90 per cent of his players ply their trade at home, they have the weapon to defeat the Super Eagles, which is peopled by Europe-based stars.

The hosts come into this encounter in Group C with two points after two games, whilst South Africa are currently on three points and behind group leaders Rwanda by one point.

In matches between Nigeria and South Africa, the Super Eagles have been dominant, winning the last two ties since they lost to South Africa in the same Uyo in 2017.

They have won four and drawn five out of their last 10 matches against Bafana Bafana. But they face a very improved South African side now ranked among the top 10 teams in the CAF region.

South Africa are aiming to qualify for their first World Cup since they hosted the Copa du Mundo