Bafana Bafana finally know who their 2026 Fifa World Cup Caf qualifiers opponents will be and standing in their way of making history are the Super Eagles of Nigeria.
South Africa were pitted against Benin, Rwanda, Lesotho, Zimbabwe, and their old foes Nigeria in Group C during a draw that was conducted in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire on Thursday.
The winners of each group will automatically qualify for the World Cup, with the four best group runners-up set to represent Africa at an inter-confederation tournament in March 2026.
Bafana have never qualified for the World Cup since 2002 under the coach Clive Barker and last participated for the prestigious tournament in 2010 by virtue of being the host nation.
Coach Hugo Broos and his men have been drawn in a tough group, with their toughest opponent being Nigeria, as they have only beaten them once in a competitive match.
Their victory came in 2017 under coach Stuart Baxter, when they beat the Super Eagles 2-0 to qualify for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt.
Bafana will go up against a star-studded Nigerian side, with the likes of Napoli talisman Victor Osimhenm, Leicester City striker Kelechi Iheanacho, Everton winger Alex Iwobi and Villareal dribbling wizard Samuel Chukwueze expected to cause troubles for the South Africans.
Since the arrival of Broos, Bafana have improved immensely, only losing three games in their last 17 matches, and drawing four times.
Their biggest victory was when they stunned the number one ranked team in Africa in Morocco, when they beat them 2-1 during their Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) Group K qualifier at the FNB Stadium recently.
Having not lost a home game under Broos, Bafana will be hoping to pick up from where they left off and go all the way to book their ticket to Canada, Mexico, and the USA, who will be the joint host nations for the 2026 Fifa World Cup.
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