South Africa midfielder, Mohau Nkota, has acknowledged that facing Nigeria’s Super Eagles is always a tough challenge, but remains optimistic ahead of Tuesday’s World Cup qualifier in Bloemfontein.
Bafana Bafana head into the encounter sitting top of Group C with 16 points from seven games, buoyed by four straight victories over Benin and Zimbabwe, including Friday’s 3-0 triumph against Lesotho at the Free State Stadium.
Benin currently trail with 11 points, just ahead of the Super Eagles who boosted their campaign with a narrow 1-0 win over Rwanda in Uyo on Saturday night.
Nigeria will travel to Bloemfontein determined to close the gap, knowing a win would bring them within three points of Bafana and strengthen their push for a place at the expanded 48-team 2026 World Cup in Mexico, Canada and the United States.
Bafana, however, could face a setback off the pitch as FIFA is expected to dock them three points for fielding ineligible midfielder Teboho Mokoena in the March victory against Lesotho.
Still, a win over Nigeria would move them to 19 points and keep their qualification hopes strong, while a draw would maintain a comfortable six-point cushion over the Super Eagles.
Despite the threat posed by Nigeria, Nkota is confident South Africa can hold their own.
“We just have to continue where we left off against Lesotho. We must go all out for the three points to open the gap at the top and if we don’t get the win, we will take a draw and move on,” he was quoted by Times Live.
“We did what we had to do against Lesotho and that has got us closer to realising our dream of going to the World Cup.”
Nkota, who opened the scoring against Lesotho, joined Saudi Arabian side Al-Ettifaq from Orlando Pirates in July and has embraced his role under coach Hugo Broos.
“Whenever I am selected, I have a responsibility to go out there and do my job and that is to contribute to the team.”
His teammate Oswin Appollis, who also scored in the Lesotho game, echoed the same sentiments. The winger, who signed for Pirates in July to help fill the gap left by Nkota, expects a fierce contest against Nigeria.
“It is going to be a difficult but exciting game against Nigeria because they have a lot of quality players in their squad. We are ready for the fight.
“It is never easy against them because they are a talented team and we will be ready on Tuesday. It is all about teamwork, if we work together as a team we can succeed against them.”
