Super Eagles captain William Ekong has assured that the team will play with confidence when they face South Africa’s Bafana Bafana in a crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier in Bloemfontein on Tuesday night.
Ekong, who was voted Player of the Tournament at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Côte d’Ivoire, stressed that the Eagles will not dwell on their penalty shootout victory over the Bafana in the semi-finals of that competition.
“We defeated them at the Africa Cup but that is in the past and some changes have been made to both teams since then. Our approach will be devoid of arrogance; we will play with level heads and go all out for victory. There will be no arrogance but we will not be diffident either,” the defender said.
“South Africa is a good team that we respect but we just have to go on the pitch and play our game. Our objective has not changed; we want to go to the FIFA World Cup finals next year.”
Head coach Eric Chelle also underlined his intent to field his strongest side against the South Africans.
“We have come here to play for the three points, so we will be sending out the team that will get the job done. We are happy to have overcome Rwanda but we have to conquer here tomorrow in order to be in a good position for the qualification,” Chelle stated.
Despite Nigeria’s poor start to the campaign, Chelle has secured seven points from his three matches in charge and believes his squad can revive their qualification hopes and leave Bafana Bafana trailing.
Following Monday’s training session at the Toyota Stadium, Nigeria’s High Commissioner to South Africa, His Excellency Tope Ajayi, urged the team to give their best and secure victory.
“I have the confidence that we will win, and many South Africans also believe that Nigeria will win. We should go out there and play with gusto, confidence and courage, and refuse to be intimidated by anything,” Ajayi said.
He added: “When the Super Falcons came here to play the Banyana Banyana, I told them before the game that I could see them returning to the Olympics after 16 years, and they did. Now, I am telling you that I am seeing you at the 2026 FIFA World Cup and it will be so.”
The match is scheduled to kick off at 6pm local time in South Africa (5pm in Nigeria).
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