Massive test for Bafana Bafana as Nigeria's Super Eagles name established stars for 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers

The two nations are set to renew their rivalry in the next couple of weeks when they face each other in search of a slot in the global competition.

• The international break is set for September
• South Africa & Nigeria will play each other
• The Super Eagles unveil their team

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  WHAT HAPPENED?

  The international break will take centre stage in the next two weeks, when teams will be chasing their tickets in the 2026 World Cup.

  Nigeria and South Africa find themselves in a tricky situation in Group C, in a game that might determine their fate.

  While Bafana Bafana are the favourites to advance, the Super Eagles are just on seven points from six rounds, six less than Hugo Broos' men.

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• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  South Africa play Lesotho on September 5 before hosting Nigeria four days later in matches that Broos' men must win to get their 2026 World Cup ticket.

  The Super Eagles have now named their provisional squad for the fixture.

  "Head Coach Eric Sekou Chelle has selected team captain William Ekong, first-choice goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali, defenders Olaoluwa Aina and Calvin Bassey, midfielders Alex Iwobi and Wilfred Ndidi, and forwards Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman, and Simon Moses in a provisional list of 31 for next month’s 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying matches against Rwanda and South Africa," NFF reported.

• WHO HAS MADE NIGERIA'S SQUAD?

  Here is the full list of the players called by the Super Eagles' technical team.

  Goalkeepers: Stanley Nwabali (Chippa United, South Africa); Amas Obasogie (Singida Blackstars, Tanzania); Adeleye Adebayo (Volos FC, Greece); Ebenezer Harcourt (Sporting FC)
  Defenders: William Ekong (Al-Kholood, Saudi Arabia); Calvin Bassey (Fulham FC, England); Olaoluwa Aina (Nottingham Forest, England); Bright Osayi-Samuel (Birmingham City, England); Bruno Onyemaechi (Olympiakos, Greece); Igoh Ogbu (SK Slavia Prague, Czech Republic); Chidozie Awaziem (Nantes FC, France); Felix Agu (Werder Bremen, Germany); Benjamin Fredericks (Dender FC, Belgium)
  Midfielders: Alex Iwobi (Fulham FC, England); Frank Onyeka (Brentford FC, England); Alhassan Yusuf Abdullahi (New England Revolution, USA); Wilfred Ndidi (Besiktas FC, Turkey); Fisayo Dele-Bashiru (SS Lazio, Italy); Raphael Onyedika (Club Brugge, Belgium); Christantus Uche (Getafe CF, Spain)
  Forwards: Ademola Lookman (Atalanta BC, Italy); Samuel Chukwueze (AC Milan, Italy); Victor Osimhen (Galatasaray FC, Turkey); Simon Moses (Paris FC, France); Victor Boniface (Bayer Leverkusen, Germany); Cyriel Dessers (Glasgow Rangers, Scotland); Sadiq Umar (Real Sociedad, Spain); Nathan Tella (Bayer Leverkusen, Germany); Tolu Arokodare (KRC Genk, Belgium); Terem Moffi (OGC Nice, France); Adams Akor (Sevilla FC, Spain) 

• WHAT NEXT?

  In the initial meeting, the two teams played to a 1-1 draw before the West African nation eliminated Bafana Bafana from the Africa Cup of Nations.

  Playing at home will definitely give the hosts a massive advantage since the fans will be behind them.