Nigeria’s head coach, Eric Chelle, has unveiled the Super Eagles’ starting line-up for today’s crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier against South Africa at the Free State Toyota Stadium in Bloemfontein.
The line-up includes: Stanley Nwabali (23), Benjamin Tanimu Fredrick (13), Calvin Bassey (21), Ola Aina (2), Bruno Onyemaechi (3), Wilfred Ndidi (4), Alex Iwobi (17), Fisayo Dele-Bashiru (14), Moses Simon (15), Ademola Lookman (7), and Cyriel Dessers (9).
Kick-off is scheduled for 5 p.m. Nigerian time.
For Bafana Bafana, the fixture is an opportunity to edge closer to their first World Cup appearance since hosting the 2010 edition. For Nigeria, however, it is a fight for survival. The three-time African champions trail the group leaders by six points with only three games left to play, meaning defeat in Bloemfontein could end their hopes of direct qualification.
The Super Eagles come into the clash on the back of a narrow 1-0 win over Rwanda in Uyo on Saturday, thanks to substitute Tolu Arokodare’s 51st-minute goal. That result kept their qualifying hopes alive.
Meanwhile, South Africa tightened their grip on Group C after a 3-0 win over Lesotho, moving to 16 points.
Rwanda also boosted their chances earlier today with a victory over Zimbabwe, climbing to third place on 11 points.
Nigeria will wrap up their qualifying campaign in October with fixtures against Lesotho and Benin Republic.
The lineups are:
Goalkeeper:
23. Stanley Nwabali
Defenders:
Ekong
21. Calvin Bassey
2. Ola Aina
3. Bruno Onyemaechi
Midfielders:
4. Wilfred Ndidi
17. Alex Iwobi
14. Fisayo Dele-Bashiru
Forwards:
15. Moses Simon
7. Ademola Lookman
9. Cyriel Dessers