Bafana Bafana have boosted their chances of qualifying for next year’s FIFA World Cup after holding the struggling Super Eagles of Nigeria to a goalless draw on a Tuesday night at the Free state stadium.

Nigeria’s skipper Trost-Ekong opened the scoring for Bafana Bafana on the twenty-fourth minute of the game after getting to the end of Mohau Nkota’s delightful hard and low cross on the box – the Super Eagles scraped a controversial equaliser on the stroke of half-time to head into the changerooms in a one all stalemate.

Bafana went to make four changes in the second half with Thalente Mbatha, kamogelo Sebelebele, Iqraam Rayners and Thabiso Monyane getting in to replace Sipho Mbule, Oswin Appollis, Lyle Foster and the injured Zuko Mdunyelwa – Orlando Pirates’ stalwart Mbekezeli Mbokazi was named as the Man of the Match at the Free State Stadium.

Following tonight’s draw Bafana Bafana opened a six-point lead at the top of Group C standings at the 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers with Benin hosting Lesotho tonight at Ivory Coast as they look to possibly challenge South Africa for the top spot – Bafana currently lead Group C with 17 points followed by Nigeria, Benin and Rwanda who are all on 11 points, Lesotho are placed on the 5^th spot with just 6 points  after seven games. Zimbabwe are rock bottom in group C with a mere 4 points after 8 games.

Hugo Broos troops will soon return to action later next month at the 06^th of October against Zimbabwe in South Africa as The Warriors does not have a CAF approved stadium to host the qualifiers in their own backyard. Bafana  will then switch focus to host Rwanda on the 13^th of October as they will be determined to seal their spot in next year’s world showpiece co-hosted by United States, Mexico and Canada.