Nigeria secured a narrow but vital win in today’s 2026 World Cup Qualifier in Uyo.
Goal Scorer: Tolu Arokodare scored the winner in the second half after coming on as a substitute
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Nigeria’s victory keeps their World Cup qualification hopes alive and moves them up in Group C standings. The win was hard-fought—dubbed an “ugly win.”
It would be nice to see the Super Eagles win ugly today to fan the embers of hope coursing throughout the nation 200million strong, but the brand of football on display on Saturday on Uyo would see the Nigerian team obliterated by the Bafana Bafana and the slim World Cup dream evaporate
To prevent this from happening, Coach Chelle has to play a 4-2-3-1 wing play inspired formation to neutralize South Africa’s 4-3-3
The South African formation has seen them do well against North African teams having won 16 of the last 35 encounters with teams up North most notably AFCON wins against Egypt in 2019 and Morocco in 2024 but against Nigeria that formation has proven ineffective because of the physicality of the Nigerian team and their ability to spread the play through the flanks
Strong home form and a commanding points lead give them confidence.
If they avoid a deduction, they can afford a draw. But with the deduction risk, they may feel pressured to push for the win.
The game is a must win to maintain realistic hopes of qualification for both teams
Without Osimhen, Nigeria’s attacking threat is diminished. Dependence shifts to midfield execution and set-piece efficiency of the other players present
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