Nigeria’s Super Eagles and Bafana Bafana of South Africa have landed in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State capital for Friday’s 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier.
Both teams played out a pulsating AFCON semifinal four months ago in Cote d’Ivoire, but it will be a different ball game tomorrow as the race for a ticket to the 2026 World Cup gathers steam.
Antwerp midfielder Alhassan Yusuf said they plan to attack Bafana Bafana, which was not the case when both teams clashed in Bouake.
“It will be a different approach for us,” he said.
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“At the AFCON, we waited for them, but for this game we have to go at them.”
He added: “This is a must-win game and every point will count.”
Turkey-based defender Bright Osayi-Samuel said the game against South Africa is very important because the Super Eagles could only manage draws in their first two World Cup qualifiers.
“The draws were not good enough,” admitted the Fenerbache ace, who said he will visit his hometown Benin City for the first time after the World Cup qualifiers.
“South Africa will want to beat us after we beat them in the AFCON.
“This game is very important for both teams because we want to win and go to the World Cup.”
Brentford midfielder Frank Onyeka, who rated Bafana Bafana as the best team the Super Eagles faced at the AFCON, said it is crucial victory in the country’s quest to qualify for the 2026 World Cup.
“We failed to qualify for the last World Cup and so we have to do everything to ensure we play at the next tournament,” he said.
“Victory will put us in a better place to qualify.”
Bafana Bafana storm Uyo
Meanwhile, the Bafana Bafana of South Africa landed in Uyo Thursday afternoon for the explosive encounter, BSNSports.com.ng reports.
The AFCON bronze medalists will train by 8 p.m. today at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo.
Recall that the team was reported to be stranded at the Port Harcourt International Airport where they were to be cleared by customs as a result of Uyo airport that had closed by the time the team was scheduled to take off.
Friday’s potentially-explosive game will kick off at 8 p.m.
