It wasn’t exactly siyaya eAmerika just yet — but South Africa, you might want to start dusting off those passports. Qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Donald Trump-land is now within touching distance.
In drawing 1-1 with Nigeria at the Toyota Stadium in Bloemfontein, Bafana Bafana edged ever closer to sealing their spot at the global showpiece, which will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
It was a tense affair that could easily have swung either way, and in the end, the stalemate felt like a fair reflection of a contest that once again underlined the fierce rivalry between the two footballing nations.
You could tell just how edgy things were when even the usually composed Hugo Broos lost his cool late in the match, remonstrating with the officials after Teboho Mokoena had his heel clipped. Tempers spilled over, and the Bafana coach found himself in a heated exchange with members of the Super Eagles’ technical team.
On the pitch, things had been simmering from the opening whistle. Despite the poor state of the surface, which made for a bit of an eyesore, there was no shortage of heart or desire from either side. After all, the outcome of this clash had massive implications for both nations’ hopes of qualification.
In the end, the draw suited South Africa far more than it did Nigeria. Bafana remain top of Group C with 17 points and two rounds of matches to play. The Super Eagles, by contrast, trail by six — and even their hopes of Bafana being docked points over Mokoena’s alleged ineligibility in the 2-0 win over Lesotho back in March now look increasingly faint.
It’s no wonder, then, that at the final whistle Bafana’s players ran towards the southern end to celebrate in song with the passionate super fans. The point was hard-earned — and massively significant — as it effectively knocked out their long-time nemesis from contention for top spot.
While the Bloemfontein crowd was disappointingly small for a clash of this magnitude, they made up for it in spirit and voice — belting out the national anthem with pride and urging the team on with song throughout the match.
They erupted with joy when Mohau Nkota forced an own goal from Super Eagles captain William Troost-Ekong early in the opening half. At that point, victory felt within reach. With Mbekezeli Mbokazi putting in a rock-solid defensive shift, World Cup qualification seemed just a heartbeat away.
But, with half-time approaching, Bafana momentarily switched off. Nigeria capitalised with a deliberate, composed build-up that ended with Calvin Chinedu Bassey nodding in an equaliser. Well — sort of. The dreadlocked defender’s header also took a final touch off his outstretched arm before crossing the line. Without VAR in place, the goal stood, to the delight of the Nigerians in the stands and those watching from home.
Bafana came out after the break with renewed determination and did well to hold the fort. They kept the marauding Nigerians at bay — although it was touch-and-go for large stretches, giving the partisan home fans more than a few heart palpitations.
In the end, 1-1 it finished — a result that may have been unsatisfying for the neutrals, but one that took Bafana another significant step toward the promised land.
So no, not quite siyaya eAmerika yet — but it’s certainly starting to look like more than just a dream.
