WATCH: Super Eagles depart for Bloemfontein ahead of make-or-mar clash with South Africa

Photo Credit: Super Eagles /X

Super Eagles players, the team’s coaching crew and a number of officials of the Nigeria Football Federation have, this Sunday morning, departed the country for South Africa, Soccernet.ng reports.

The Nigerian delegation left the Victor Attah International Airport in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, with their flight headed for the Bram Fischer International Airport in Bloemfontein.

The Super Eagles are scheduled to trade tackles with the South African national team at the Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein on Tuesday.

— Super Eagles (@NGSuperEagles) September 7, 2025

The clash between the two former African champions is a crucial qualifier for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

South Africa’s Bafana Bafana defeated Lesotho 3-0 in Bloemfontein on Friday to take their points haul to 16 and solidify their hold at the top of Group C.

Nigeria claimed only their second win of the qualifying campaign following a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Rwanda on Saturday to set up a mouth-watering faceoff with South Africa.

The Super Eagles, with only ten points from seven games, are condemned to beat Bafana Bafana to boost their chances of qualification.

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Interestingly, Nigeria will be without talisman forward Victor Osimhen when they face South Africa in Bloemfontein on Tuesday after the striker was ruled out through injury.

The Galatasaray forward limped off in the first half of Friday’s 1-0 win over Rwanda in Uyo. Osimhen had thought he’d given Nigeria an early lead, only to see his effort chalked off for offside, before taking a heavy knock to the shin in the 28th minute.

Despite initial treatment, the 26-year-old could not continue. Furious, he pulled off his trademark protective mask before being replaced by Cyriel Dessers in the 35th minute.

Scans later confirmed a shin bruise, and Nigeria’s medical team advised against any involvement in South Africa. Osimhen woke up on Saturday still in pain and will not travel with the squad.

His absence is a huge setback for Eric Chelle’s side, who must win in Bloemfontein to revive their stuttering World Cup qualifying campaign. South Africa currently sit six points clear at the top of the group.

Osimhen’s injury opens the door for Tolu Arokodare, who scored the winner against Rwanda after coming off the bench. The Wolves striker, alongside Dessers and Ademola Lookman, will now carry Nigeria’s attacking burden against Hugo Broos’ Bafana Bafana.