The Bafana Bafana of South Africa love playing at Godswill Akpabio Stadium, Uyo, Nigeria. For the third visit running, they leave with their pride intact following a deserved 1-1 draw in their #FIFAWC2026 World Cup qualifying group match on Friday.
A brilliantly constructed Bafana Bafana move in the first half was emphatically concluded by Themba Zwane’s finish into the bottom corner past an unsighted Stanley Nwabali in goal for the Super Eagles. With Percy Tau at his impish best upfront and Teboho Mokoena dictating in midfield, the visitors could easily have scored more. Poor decisions in the box, last ditch tackles and blocks from the stretched Nigerian defence and poor finishing kept Nigeria in the match.
Henry Nwosu, Friday Ekpo, JJ Okocha and even John Mikel Obi, all previous occupiers of the Super Eagles no 10 shirt, would have been proud of the turn and emphatic finish by Fisayo Dele-Basiru that brought Nigeria level in this Group C encounter.
Nigeria are 2 points behind leaders, Lesotho who have 5 points. 3 points from a possible 9 do not fill many with confidence in the race to qualify for this North America based Mundial in 2026.
Watching this match and looking at the squad and team he picked, Coach Finidi George needs to be brave and come correct from now on. Winning in Abidjan against Gernot Rohr’s Benin Rep on Monday is a non-negotiable.
Stephen Keshi defied cries from many quarters when he left out some big names going into the 2013AFCON. He followed it up by dropping skipper Joseph Yobo from the starting line-up, choosing instead to go with a partnership of young Kenneth Omeruo and Godfrey Oboabona. He was proven right.
There was no reason for Kelechi Iheanacho to have started the game last night, worse was him staying on for as long as he did. Iheanacho was never blessed with athleticism or dynamism, so playing him or asking him to start from the right, in the absence of the injured Moses Simon, served the team no uses. A valuable shirt was wasted.
There is absolutely no reason to invite Seniorman to squads again except when there are injuries to many recognised centre-forwards.
Alhassan Yusuf, Raphael Onyedika, and Alex Iwobi are all better users of the ball in midfield than Wilfred Ndidi (below) has ever been. The Leicester man has always been known for his ball winning capability in midfield but even at club level last season, Enzo Maresca moved him away from the base of midfield. Quite naturally, Ndidi is not as dynamic as he was 4, 5, 6 years ago and so George has to work with these information on what to do with his captain. Frank Onyeka is a younger version and can do the job.
The lack of a left-footed left-back was a big problem on Friday. I gathered that Calvin Bassey refused to play in that role, so Bright Osayi-Samuel volunteered to play there. Full-back is a quite exhausting position and many central defenders hate to shift and play there so I understand Bassey’s reluctance.
In choosing his squads, George can not afford not having a left-footed left back.
The Super Eagles were very solid at the AFCON because Zaidu Sanusi was there and tucked inside him was Bassey. Jamilu Collins used to be favoured and a way must be found to get him back in the fold when he is fit. Rangers International’s Kenneth Igboke is a left-footed left back; if he is good enough to be in the squad then he should have been trusted enough to play.
With Ndidi alongside Bassey in central defence, a trio of Onyeka, Raphael Onyedika and Yusuf will offer the team everything needed for an away tie. Iwobi plays wide for Fulham so he can comfortably play there on the right side in a front 3 that must include Victor Boniface and Ademola Lookman.
George’s time starts now.
I could not have written it any differently. I agree with you 101%