South Africa’s Bafana Bafana are set to lock horns with Nigeria in a crucial CAF World Cup qualifier at the Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein tonight, Tuesday, 9 September 2025.
The Group C encounter is a decisive one, with qualification points on the line and both nations desperate to take control of their campaigns.
Bafana head into the clash on the back of an emphatic 3-0 win over Lesotho, while Nigeria edged Rwanda 1-0 over the weekend.
Hugo Broos’ men currently sit at the top of the group, while the Super Eagles are third and in need of a win to keep their qualification hopes alive.
Nigeria will, however, be without their attacking powerhouse Victor Osimhen, who is sidelined with injury.
His absence could prove costly, although hope arrived from a rather unusual source: a 196-year-old Aldabra giant tortoise in Zanzibar.
According to its handlers, the tortoise predicted Nigeria would score twice against South Africa, sparking amusement and debate among fans.
Predictions remain mixed. While the tortoise sees goals for the Super Eagles, Pulse Sports’ supercomputer analysis tipped South Africa for a narrow 1-0 victory.
A win for Bafana would severely dent Nigeria’s qualification chances, especially as FIFA has not yet ruled on the controversial March 2025 fixture, where South Africa beat Lesotho 2-0 with ineligible player Teboho Mokoena on the pitch.
