{"id":871511,"date":"2025-09-08T23:11:47","date_gmt":"2025-09-09T04:11:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/2025\/09\/08\/super-eagles-star-with-21-caps-branded-as-nigerias-weakest-link-before-south-africa-clash\/"},"modified":"2025-09-08T23:11:47","modified_gmt":"2025-09-09T04:11:47","slug":"super-eagles-star-with-21-caps-branded-as-nigerias-weakest-link-before-south-africa-clash","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/2025\/09\/08\/super-eagles-star-with-21-caps-branded-as-nigerias-weakest-link-before-south-africa-clash\/","title":{"rendered":"Super Eagles star with 21 caps branded as Nigeria\u2019s weakest link before South Africa clash"},"content":{"rendered":"

Soccer <\/p>\n

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\"Soccer<\/p>\n

William Troost-Ekong and Stanley Nwabali leading out Nigeria Super Eagles. Photo by IMAGO<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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South Africa head into a decisive World Cup qualifier against Nigeria<\/a> with former Orlando Pirates midfielder Thabo Mngomeni urging Hugo Broos\u2019 men to show no fear, Soccernet.ng reports<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Bafana Bafana<\/a> top Group C with 16 points, six clear of the Super Eagles, and victory in Bloemfontein on Tuesday would leave them within touching distance of the 2026 finals. Yet Mngomeni insists the players cannot afford to be intimidated by Nigeria\u2019s pedigree.<\/p>\n

\"Soccer
Terem Moffi, Kenneth Omeruo and Stanley Nwabali of Nigeria during the Afcon 2023 Semi Final match between Nigeria and South Africa [Photo credit\/Imago]<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The clash pits two former AFCON champions against each other in what has become one of African football\u2019s fiercest rivalries. Both sides head into the encounter on the back of wins: Nigeria edged Rwanda 1-0<\/a>, while South Africa brushed aside Lesotho 3-0.<\/a><\/p>\n

Mngomeni believes South Africa can tilt the balance by targeting a vulnerable spot in Nigeria\u2019s defence: goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali.<\/p>\n

\"Soccer
Stanley Nwabali in action for the Super Eagles of Nigeria [Photo credit\/Imago]<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Get Our Sports News First \u2013 Join Our WhatsApp Channel Now!<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

The 29-year-old, who now has 21 caps after making his debut for the Super Eagles<\/a> at AFCON 2023, has endured a torrid season at Chippa United, who sit bottom of the PSL table.<\/p>\n

What has been said of Nigeria\u2019s Nwabali?<\/h3>\n
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\u201cThe players shouldn\u2019t feel intimidated by Nwabali,\u201d Mngomeni told KickOff<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u201cLook where Chippa are on the log table \u2013 at the bottom. If Bafana players are seeking motivation, they should remember that Nwabali is the same goalkeeper they score against week in and week out in the PSL.<\/p>\n

Mngomeni added, \u201cBafana players can’t let themselves be intimidated by Nigeria playing at home in South Africa.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf that’s the case, what will we do at the World Cup next year against big nations? At this stage of their careers, they can’t afford to be intimidated.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

\"Soccer
Super Eagles team walk. Photo Credit: Super Eagles \/X<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Bafana Bafana have never beaten the Super Eagles on South African soil, with Nigeria winning eight games, losing two and drawing six in the overall head-to-head record.<\/p>\n

Still, Mngomeni insists South Africa have the required weapon in their armoury to hunt the Super Eagles in Bloemfontein.<\/p>\n

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\u201cThey must attack Nigeria. It comes down to motivation,\u201d Mngomeni said.<\/p>\n

\u201cBelieve in yourselves. I don’t want to think about losing tomorrow because it could be the end for us. We really need this win; it will set us on the right path. Losing will be devastating for me. Even a draw won\u2019t help us. We need a win.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

The Free State Stadium is expected to be packed for what many see as the group\u2019s decisive tie. With only a handful of qualifiers left, the result will shape the path to North America 2026.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

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\n\t\t\t\t\tImhonlamhen Eronmhonsele\t\t\t\t<\/a>
\n\t\t\t<\/h3>\n

\n\t\t\t\tImhonlamhen Eronmhonsele turns into a ball of passion when writing about Nigerian football and its talents, whether rising stars or established legends, locally and abroad.<\/p>\n

From the deepest corners of the Middle East, to the green fields of the Americas, to the celebrated grounds in Europe, and the rich soils of Africa, Imhons is more than glad, usually with a glass of a tasty drink nearby, to capture the essence of the game, by connecting the dots between culture, identity, and football.\t\t\t<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

Read More<\/a>Imhonlamhen Eronmhonsele<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Soccer William Troost-Ekong and Stanley Nwabali leading out Nigeria Super Eagles. Photo by IMAGO South Africa head into a decisive World Cup qualifier against Nigeria with former Orlando Pirates midfielder Thabo Mngomeni urging Hugo Broos\u2019 men to show no fear, Soccernet.ng reports. Bafana Bafana top Group C with 16 points, six clear of the Super […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":871512,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3577,2005,4578],"tags":[7956,6323],"class_list":{"0":"post-871511","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-eagles","8":"category-soccer","9":"category-super","10":"tag-eagles","11":"tag-super"},"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/871511","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=871511"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/871511\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/871512"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=871511"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=871511"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=871511"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}