World Cup qualifier: Nigeria's clash with South Africa gets venue, date

• The Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, has announced the date and venue for the Super Eagles clash with South Africa in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign.

The Super Eagles are scheduled to face the South Africans on Day 3 of the qualifying series after two underwhelming performances against Lesotho and Zimbabwe.

Nigeria, with two points, sit in third place behind leaders Rwanda (4 points) and South Africa (3).

For their two points, the three-time African champions picked up two similar 1-1 draws against Lesotho and Zimbabwe in November.

South Africa, on the other hand, defeated Benin Republic 2-1 on Day 1, only to follow it up with a surprise 2-0 loss away to Rwanda.

The Super Eagles and South Africa's Bafana Bafana will next meet inside the Godswill Akpabio Stadium, Uyo, on Friday, 7th June, with the winner likely to overtake Rwanda as Group C leaders.

Nigeria will be confident of overcoming South Africa in that crucial tie after edging the 1996 AFCON winners in the semifinals of the continental championship in Cote d'Ivoire earlier in the year.

The match ended 1-1 after extra time before the Super Eagles triumphed in the ensuing penalty shootout.

Nigeria's dominance over South Africa extended into women's football as the Super Falcons defeated the Banyana Banyana on aggregate to beat them to the 2024 Paris Olympics ticket.

The Super Falcons won 1-0 in Abuja courtesy of an expert penalty from Rasheedat Ajibade before grinding out a goalless draw in the return fixture in Pretoria.