THE Super Eagles of Nigeria have departed Uyo for South Africa, where they will lock horns with Bafana Bafana in a high-stakes 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying match on Tuesday.
News Point Nigeria Sports reports that the team, which edged Rwanda 1–0 at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium on Saturday, left on Sunday morning aboard a ValueJet aircraft with 22 players in camp.
However, the squad will be without talismanic forward Victor Osimhen, who picked up an injury during the hard-fought victory against the Amavubi.
Osimhen, 26, limped off in the first half of the Rwanda clash and has since been ruled out of the South Africa tie. The Napoli striker is expected to return to Turkey for further medical evaluation and treatment, leaving the Super Eagles to battle without their most prolific attacker.
The absence of Osimhen is seen as a major blow to Coach Eric Chelle’s plans, especially as Nigeria faces a must-win scenario in Bloemfontein. The Eagles currently sit third in Group C with 10 points, trailing leaders South Africa who top the log with 16 points from seven matches.
Speaking after the Rwanda victory, Chelle admitted that his side must show “ambition and resilience” against South Africa. “The win against Rwanda gave us confidence, but we must now turn to the next challenge.
“Playing South Africa away will not be easy, but we are ready to fight for the three points,” he said.
The Toyota Stadium clash in Bloemfontein is widely regarded as a decisive fixture in Nigeria’s qualifying campaign. With only three games left in the series, a positive result against Bafana Bafana will be crucial if the Eagles are to keep their World Cup hopes alive.
Nigeria’s narrow victory over Rwanda was secured through a well-taken goal by Tolu Arokodare, who is expected to shoulder more responsibility in Osimhen’s absence.
“Fans will also be looking to the likes of Ademola Lookman, Kelechi Iheanacho, and Alex Iwobi to step up and deliver on the big stage.
The clash at the Toyota Stadium is scheduled for Tuesday evening, and the eyes of millions of Nigerian fans will be fixed on Bloemfontein as the Super Eagles seek to soar without their star striker.
