South Africa host Nigeria on Tuesday in a potentially seismic qualification match for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Bafana Bafana sit top of Group C of the CAF qualifying section left to play. A 3-0 win over Lesotho last week means they have a five-point cushion to Benin in second, with Nigeria a point further back after battling to a 1-0 victory over Rwanda.
The Super Eagles realistically need to win in Bloemfontein to have any chance of securing an automatic place at next year's finals in the United States, Canada and Mexico. However, the threat of a possible points deduction for fielding Teboho Mokoena in a previous qualifier when he should have served a suspension means South Africa cannot afford to rest on their laurels over the final three matchdays of the qualifying section.
This game could go a long way towards deciding which team claims top spot in the group, and who may have to content themselves with a possible playoff spot. Rwanda and Benin will also watch on with interest knowing they remain right in the hunt, especially if South Africa are punished by FIFA.
The big story concerning team news relates to Nigeria's star striker Victor Osimhen, who sustained an injury against Rwanda and is a major doubt for this game.
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South Africa vs. Nigeria lineups: Confirmed starting XI, Victor Osimhen latest
South Africa know that a win here could be particularly important should FIFA decide to dock them points for fielding an ineligible player in an earlier qualifier, so a full-strength lineup is expected.
Nyiko Mobbie suffered a fractured eye socket after a nasty clash of heads early on against Lesotho and has been recovering from surgery. Thabiso Monyane was called up to the squad in his stead.
Thabo Moloisane went off in the second half with an injury concern and is only on the bench, with Samukele Kabini starting at left-back. Indeed, Mbekezeli Mbokazi is the only member of the back four that began the 3-0 win over Lesotho to start here. Burnley striker Lyle Foster continues to lead the line.
South Africa lineup (4-2-3-1, right to left): Williams (GK) — Mdunyelwa, Mbokazi, Ngezana, Kabini — Mokoena, Aubaas — Nkota, Mbule, Appollis — Foster
South Africa full roster
Goalkeepers: Ronwen Williams, Sipho Chaine, Ricardo Goss
Defenders: Thabiso Monyane, Zuko Mdunyelwa, Mbekezeli Mbokazi, Aubrey Modiba, Thabo Moloisane, Zuko Mdunyelwa, Khulumani Ndamane, Ime Okon, Samukelo Kabini, Siyabonga Ngezana
Midfielders: Teboho Mokoena, Luke Le Roux, Bathusi Aubaas, Thalente Mbatha, Oswin Appollis, Patrick Maswanganyi, Mike Kamogelo Sebelebele, Mduduzi Shabalala
Forwards: Iqraam Rayners, Lyle Foster, Mohau Nkota, Relebohile Mofokeng.
Chelle said straight after the Rwanda game that Victor Osimhen was "in pain" and that they would need to wait for the medical staff's assessment. After the Nigerian Football Federation said the striker was absent from a special welcome event in Bloemfontein on Sunday, the official teamsheet confirmed he has not made the cut.
Despite Wolves forward Tolu Arokodare coming on to score the winner against Rwanda, Cyriel Dessers gets the nod to start at centre-forward.
William Troost-Ekong and Fisayo Dele-Bashiru return, while youngster Benjamin Fredrick is preferred to Bruno Onyemaechi at left-back.
Nigeria lineup (4-2-3-1, right to left): Nwabali (GK) — Aina, Troost-Ekong, Bassey, Fredrick — Ndidi, Dele-Bashiru — Lookman, Iwobi, Simon — Dessers
Nigeria full roster
Goalkeepers: Stanley Nwabali, Adebayo Adeleye, Amas Obasogie
Defenders: William Troost-Ekong, Ola Aina, Chidozie Awaziem, Calvin Bassey, Bright Oyasi-Samuel, Bruno Onyemaechi, Felix Agu, Benjamin Fredrick
Midfielders: Alex Iwobi, Wifred Ndidi, Frank Onyeka, Raphael Onyedika, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, Christantus Uche
Forwards: Moses Simon, Samuel Chukwueze, Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman, Cyriel Dessers, Tolu Arokodare.
South Africa vs. Nigeria match details
- Date: Tuesday, September 9, 2025
- Kickoff time: 6 p.m. local time / 12 p.m. ET / 9 a.m. PT / 2 a.m. AEST (Sep. 10)
- Location: Toyota Stadium, Bloemfontein (South Africa)
- Competition: FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifying
- Referee: Pierre Ghislain Atcho (GAB)