Nigeria vs South Africa: Live Score, Statistics, and World Cup Qualifying Match Preview

Hello all VAVEL readers! Welcome to our live broadcast of the South Africa vs Nigeria match, corresponding to the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers. In a few moments, we'll share the initial details of the South Africa vs Nigeria World Cup Qualifying match in real time, along with the latest information from the Free State Stadium. This is a crucial match for both teams, South Africa is expected to come out with more intensity and pressure for this match, as they need a win to qualify for the World Cup. All eyes are on this match, which could see a new team compete in the World Cup. Little by little, fans are starting to arrive at the Free State Stadium for this World Cup qualifying match. A lot of South African fans are coming to host this match, which looks set to be very exciting. If the home team wins today, they'll qualify for the World Cup.

The match will take place at the Free State Stadium at 16:00 UTC on September 9, 2025.

The players finish warming up and return to their locker rooms to receive final instructions from their coaches so they can return to the field for the national anthem protocol and the start of the first 45 minutes. The goalkeepers of South Africa and Nigeria are now starting to take to the field to warm up. In a few minutes, the rest of the players will be out looking to prepare themselves as best they can.

For its part, Nigeria comes from defeating Rwanda 1-0, a very close match where one goal was the difference that allowed them to come away with the victory and the 3 points. Now they will face South Africa with the objective of coming away with more points that will allow them to climb in the standings. Neither team has any injured or suspended players, so they'll have a full squad for this duel, where they'll need their key players on the field if they want to emerge with a win and the three points in this crucial match for both teams.

This Tuesday, in addition to this match between South Africa vs Nigeria, the matches Sierra Leone vs Ethiopia, Zimbabwe vs Rwanda, Burkina Faso vs Egypt, Cape Verde vs Cameroon, Congo vs Senegal, Gambia vs Burundi, Gabon vs Ivory Coast, Tanzania vs Niger and Angola vs Mauritania will be played. These are tomorrow's matches in the World Cup Qualifiers.

Read also: The Rise of Nigerian Basketball

South Africa faces Nigeria at Free State Toyota Stadium on Tue, Sep 9, 2025, 16:00 UTC. This match is part of the World Cup Qualification CAF Grp. C. You can check the recent head-to-head encounters, as well as full H2H record on this page to see how South Africa and Nigeria have fared against each other in the past.

Before the lineups are announced, injury and suspension information are provided on FotMob ahead of every match, giving you the latest team news. Compare recent results and see how South Africa and Nigeria have performed against each other with team form & Head-to-head history. The current head to head record for the teams are South Africa 1 win(s), Nigeria 2 win(s), and 6 draw(s).

The lineups are:

  • South Africa (4-2-3-1): Ronwen Williams - Zuko Mdunyelwa, Siyabonga Ngezana, Mbekezeli Mbokazi, Samukelo Kabini - Teboho Mokoena, Bathusi Aubaas - Mohau Nkota, Sipho Mbule, Oswin Appollis - Lyle Foster.
  • Nigeria (4-2-3-1): Stanley Nwabili - Benjamin Fredrick, Calvin Bassey, William Troost-Ekong, Ola Aina - Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, Wilfred Ndidi - Alex Iwobi, Moses Simon, Ademola Lookman - Cyriel Dessers.

The first half between South Africa and Nigeria has begun. The match has begun and the players immediately move forward to create danger. Everything is ready for the start of the match.

Minor infractions are committed in their attempts to steal the ball. Nigeria defends and tries to surprise the home side with counterattacks. Nigeria tries to go down the flanks, but South Africa's defense is very alert to rejecting the ball. Nigeria makes a forced change due to injury, with Ola Aina leaving the field, a serious absence for the visitors. The match is getting a bit heated, with a lot of friction in this match between two teams that have a lot at stake.

Read also: Requirements for Nigeria Police Clearance

Goal for South Africa! The first goal of the match comes after a good counterattack that ends in a cross and an own goal by the Nigerian defense that poorly deflects the ball. After the goal, South Africa is motivated and presses, seeking to increase its lead.

We've reached the first 30 minutes of the match and the scoreboard remains unchanged. They're desperate to equalize quickly and are leaving significant spaces in their defensive zone. We're about to reach the final stretch of the first half, and Nigeria can't seem to get possession. In the final stretch of the match, we'll see how much longer the center-back can make up for this exciting duel.

Goal for Nigeria! The equalizer comes seconds before halftime with a cross that ends in a great shot to level the score. There are no changes in this second half; the same 22 players take to the field for the final whistle. They struggle a lot to create danger, and the score remains tied. Nigeria has the ball, but when they reach midfield, they lose the opportunity to go forward and create danger.

South Africa has already received its first yellow card, Bathusi Aubaas has been given a caution in a hard-fought match. The substitute players get up to warm up for possible substitutions. It's becoming a back-and-forth game with chances at both ends. South Africa had a clear chance with a long-range shot that went just wide of Nigeria's goal. We're approaching the final 10 minutes of the match, and the scoreboard remains unchanged.

Nigeria makes two more changes with the aim of taking risks and closing everything up front in search of victory. We're six minutes plus stoppage time away from the end of this game. Final minutes of the match. The midfield has been broken, and it's becoming a back-and-forth game. This ending is proving to be very heart-stopping, with both teams attacking. We've reached the 90th minute, and seven more minutes will be added to this match. In the final stretch of the match, we'll see how much longer the center back will be able to compensate for this heart-stopping game.

Read also: Nigeria's Thriving Music

South Africa is going head to head with Nigeria starting on 9 Sept 2025 at 16:00 UTC at Free State Stadium stadium, Bloemfontein city, South Africa. The match is a part of the FIFA World Cup, Qualification CAF, Group C. South Africa played against Nigeria in 2 matches this season. Currently, South Africa rank 1st, while Nigeria hold 2nd position. Looking to compare the best-rated player on both teams? Sofascore's rating system assigns each player a specific rating based on numerous data factors. On Sofascore livescore you can find all previous South Africa vs Nigeria results sorted by their H2H matches. Sofascore also provides the best way to follow the live score of this game with various sports features.

Therefore, you can:

  • Find out who scored in a live match
  • Get real-time information on which team is dominating the match using the Attack Momentum
  • Follow detailed statistics such as ball possession, shots, corner kicks, big chances created, cards, key passes, duels and more
  • Track all home and away games for each team in the FIFA World Cup, Qualification CAF, Group C
  • Check out how Sofascore community votes on which team is more likely to win this match.

All of these features can help you decide on South Africa vs. Nigeria game prediction. Even though Sofascore doesn't offer direct betting, it provides the best odds and shows you which sites offer live betting. Live U-TV odds are viewable on Sofascore's Football live score section.

Under TV Channels section you can find the list of all channels that broadcast South Africa – Nigeria live match. You can also live stream this match through our betting partners or click on any links on Sofascore for a legal live stream.

Event details:

  • NAME: South Africa - Nigeria
  • DATE: 9 Sept 2025
  • TIME: 16:00 UTC
  • VENUE: Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein, South Africa

More details:

  • South Africa live score, schedule and results
  • Nigeria live score, schedule and results

Sofascore livescore is available as iPhone and iPad app, Android app on Google Play and Windows phone app. You can find us in all stores on different languages as "Sofascore". Install Sofascore app on and follow South Africa Nigeria live on your mobile!


Current CAF Qualification: Group C Table Standings

Here is the current standings for CAF Qualification: Group C:

# Team Played Points
1 South Africa 1 8
2 Nigeria 1 7
3 Benin 1 7
4 Lesotho 1 7
5 Rwanda 1 7
6 Zimbabwe 1 5

All of these features make FotMob the best way to follow South Africa vs Nigeria, whether you're checking the scores or diving into detailed stats. FotMob also covers every team and competition worldwide, with fixtures, results, and squad info available on team pages. FotMob is available on the web and as a free app for iOS and Android.

ScoresNewsFavouritesFootballHockeyBasketballTennisCricketTeamsManchester UnitedEnglandLiverpoolEnglandArsenalEnglandManchester CityEnglandReal MadridSpainCompetitionsPremier LeagueEnglandLaLigaSpainSerie AItalyBundesligaGermanyLigue 1FranceRegionEnglandChampions LeagueSpainItalyGermanyNigeriaNigeriaOverviewMatchesTablesPlayer StatsCAF Qualification: Group CAllHomeAwayForm#TeamPlayedPGoals DifferenceGDPointsPts1Next stageSouth Africa106182Possible qualification for the next stageNigeria107173Benin101174Lesotho10-3125Rwanda10-4116Zimbabwe10-75Rotate to view expanded tableNext stagePossible qualification for the next stageAboutThe current CAF Qualification: Group C table standings.Nigeria latest CAF Qualification: Group C Table.

FULL MATCH: SOUTH AFRICA VS NIGERIA | 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifier | The Decisive Match

Popular articles:

tags: #Africa #Nigeria