Nigeria’s road to the 2026 FIFA World Cup remains complicated after the Super Eagles were held to a 1-1 draw by South Africa’s Bafana Bafana at the Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein on Tuesday night.

Group C leaders South Africa started brightly, exploiting both flanks of the Nigerian defence and forcing an early setback when Olaoluwa Aina limped off after just eight minutes, replaced by Bright Osayi-Samuel.

Up front, Cyriel Dessers endured another difficult outing. The striker, who was substituted in the previous match against Rwanda, struggled again — unable to win aerial duels, stretch the defence, or link play effectively.

The hosts took the lead in the 25th minute, when Nigeria captain William Troost-Ekong inadvertently turned the ball into his own net while attempting to clear a dangerous cross, wrong-footing goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali and sending the Bloemfontein crowd into raptures.

The Super Eagles, however, responded just before halftime. Calvin Bassey powered forward in the 44th minute, combining with Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, who delivered a teasing cross that Bassey met with a firm header past Ronwen Williams to restore parity.

The second half offered promise but little end product. Nigeria’s substitutes Tolu Arokodare and Dele-Bashiru both had chances to snatch a winner, but the finishing touch was missing as the game ended level.

The result leaves Nigeria on 11 points from eight matches, six points adrift of South Africa at the top of Group C. The Super Eagles’ qualification hopes now hinge on their next fixture against Lesotho, also in Bloemfontein, on October 10.