Nigeria vs. South Africa live score, result, updates from CAF World Cup Qualifier |
Alongside the start of Euro 2024 and the Copa America, the road to the 2026 FIFA World Cup continues in Africa, as Nigeria host South Africa in a crunch qualifier.
Nigeria have struggled since their defeat to the Ivory Coast in the Africa Cup of Nations final back in February and they are winless in their opening two games in qualification.
A change in head coach was hoped to reinvigorate the Super Eagles after their final loss, but former Premier League winger Finidi George is still finding his feet in Lagos.
He takes charge on a permanent basis for the first time after two unconvincing friendly outings as interim boss, and is looking to make his mark.
The Sporting News is following South Africa vs. Nigeria live, providing score updates, commentary and highlights as they happen.
MORE: Where is the 2026 World Cup final?
Nigeria vs. South Africa live score
| 1st Half | Goal scorers | |
| Nigeria | 0 | — |
| South Africa | 0 | — |
Confirmed lineups:
Nigeria (4-4-2, right to left): Nwabali (GK) — Osayi-Samuel, Ajayi, Tanimu, Bassey — Dele-Bashiru, Ndidi, Iwobi, Lookman — Iheanacho, Onuanchu.
South Africa (4-2-3-1): Williams (GK) — Rayners, Mudau, Ngezana, Modiba — Mokoena, Sithole — Mokwana, Zwane; Mvala — Tau.
Nigeria vs. South Africa live updates, highlights from World Cup qualifier
18 mins: Mokwana knocks the ball ahead with a surging run down the left-hand side. He bursts past Ajayi into the box, but can’t bring it under control for a shot before Nwabali comes off his line to seize possession!
16 mins: OFF THE BAR!!! It is Mokoena stepping up, who looks to repeat his AFCON semifinal heroics against the Super Eagles but can only clip the top of the crossbar with his 20-yard effort!
15 mins: YELLOW CARD! The first booking of the evening is shown Osayi-Samuel’s way after the Super Eagles fullback hauls Tau down right on the edge of his own box. The referee brandishes the yellow card, as Mokoena and Tau both stand over the coming free-kick.
14 mins: South Africa win their first corner when Modiba’s cross is diverted behind by a sliding Tanimu, but the set-piece, played short between Tau and Sithole, comes to nothing.
12 mins: Ndidi clips a cross-field ball over to Lookman, but the Super Eagles forward’s run into the box is stopped in its tracks by a great defensive recovery from Mvala!
10 mins: SAVED!!! Bafana Bafana break up the right-hand side and a low cross is played back to Mokoena on the edge of the box. The midfielder’s fearsome strike is parried by Nwabali, and Rayners also sees his rebound effort saved before the offside flag goes up!
8 mins: OVER!!! Iwobi plays the ball wide to Lookman in Nigeria’s first real chance, but the Atalanta winger’s shot after cutting inside is blazed over the top!
7 mins: Mokoena plays a long ball over the top to Mokwana, but just as he’s about to ring the ball down and shoot, the offside flag is raised on the far side.
5 mins: Iheanacho loses out to Sithole in midfield and Bafana Bafana counter, but Rayners is forced into a corner by Ajayi and dispossessed.
3 mins: Dele-Bashiru wins an early free-kick for Nigeria which Iheanacho swings into the box. Lookman brings the ball down and scoops a cross in towards the back post, but Onuachu can’t steer it home after Mvala does just enough for force him into heading wide!
Kickoff: NIGERIA 0-0 SOUTH AFRICA. We’re underway as the Super Eagles kick off through Ademola Lookman, and he’ll be their dangerman right from the very start in Uyo.
5 mins before kickoff: The two sides are lined up in the tunnel at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, and head out onto the pitch as kickoff beckons in Uyo!
Team on a mission #soarsupereagles pic.twitter.com/eRLv0eywDr
— 🇳🇬 Super Eagles (@NGSuperEagles) June 7, 2024
10 mins before kickoff: We’re just 10 minutes away from two African nations with proud World Cup histories from renewing their rivalry, with South Africa having only defeated the Super Eagles once in their history.
That AFCON semifinal defeat was the latest in a string of winless games for Bafana Bafana, but you’d reckon both sides will be going all guns blazing tonight in a bid to get back to winning ways!
15 mins before kickoff: Bafana Bafana’s starting lineup for this game is led by the dependable Ronwen Williams between the sticks and sees Percy Tau deputising as a striker up front.
There’s unexpected shifts in positions too for Iqraam Rayners and Mothobi Mvala, who move into the defence and midfield respectively, while Burnley striker Lyle Foster could come off the bench.
#SuperEagles Team News in
🟢⚪️🪨 Tanimu and Semi at the back
⚡️ Captain Ndidi in the middle
🙌🏽 Lookman & Onuachu lead the line #SoarSuperEagles #NGARSA pic.twitter.com/nlEPp8uozZ— 🇳🇬 Super Eagles (@NGSuperEagles) June 7, 2024
30 mins before kickoff: Group C’s current standings have been shaped by today’s earlier results, with Benin and Lesotho beating Rwanda and Zimbabwe respectively.
It’s worth remembering that this upcoming match as a rerun of the AFCON semifinal earlier this year, which Nigeria won after a 1-1 draw in extra time – are we set for another contest that will be decided by the narrowest of margins?
45 mins before kickoff: Nigeria have confirmed their starting lineup ahead of the first whistle at Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, with Wilfred Ndidi back in the fold and captaining the side.
The Super Eagles may be missing the world-class firepower of Napoli striker Victor Osimhen — but with Paul Onuachu up front, Europa League final hat-trick hero Ademola Lookman out wide, and Kelechi Iheanacho playing in behind, they’ve got plenty to offer in attack.
It’s game day!!! Ready, steady… #BafanaPride #WCQualifiers pic.twitter.com/T1pQgIin21
— Bafana Bafana (@BafanaBafana) June 7, 2024
1 hour before kickoff: T-minus 60 minutes to go before we’re underway in Uyo, in what is shaping up to be a must-win game for both sides.
South Africa and Nigeria sit fourth and fifth respectively in Group C, with Bafana Bafana able to go top of the group with a win. The Super Eagles could do likewise if they claim three points tonight, but will only displace Lesotho at the summit if they win by two goals or more.
2 hours before kickoff: Welcome to The Sporting News’ live coverage of South Africa v Nigeria in a vital 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier in Uyo.
The visitors have endured a travel nightmare en route to Nigeria but Bafana Bafana have finally arrived!
Bafana Bafana have been on the road for 18 hours and still not at base in Nigeria. The team is currently at Port Harcourt Airport where they cleared customs, awaiting transfer to the hotel, to spend the night. Uyo airport had closed by the time the team was scheduled to take off.… pic.twitter.com/nlJtpLLqsi
— Bafana Bafana (@BafanaBafana) June 5, 2024
Nigeria vs. South Africa kickoff time
This World Cup qualifier match takes place at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo, Nigeria and kicks off on Friday, June 7 at 8:00 p.m. local time.
Here’s how that time translates across some of the major territories:
| Date | Kickoff time | |
| USA | Fri, Jun. 7 | 3:00 p.m. ET |
| Canada | Fri, Jun. 7 | 3:00 p.m. ET |
| UK | Fri, Jun. 7 | 8:00 p.m. BST |
| Australia | Sat, Jun. 8 | 5:00 a.m. AEST |
| India | Sat, Jun. 8 | 12:30 a.m. IST |
Group C standings
| Pos. | Team | GP | W-D-L | Goals For | Goals against | Points |
| 1. | Lesotho | 3 | 1-2-0 | 3 | 1 | 5 |
| 2. | Rwanda | 3 | 1-1-1 | 2 | 1 | 4 |
| 3. | Benin | 3 | 1-1-1 | 2 | 2 | 4 |
| 4. | South Africa | 2 | 1-0-1 | 2 | 3 | 3 |
| 5. | Nigeria | 2 | 0-2-0 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| 6. | Zimbabwe | 3 | 0-2-1 | 1 | 3 | 2 |
Nigeria vs. South Africa lineups, team news, starting 11
Nigeria have been dealt a big blow as they will miss Napoli striker Victor Osimhen and captain William Troost-Ekong. Ahmed Musa and Kenneth Omeruo are not in the squad, and Nathan Tella requested to be excused.
Ademola Lookman remains a key player with four goals in his last six games and leads the line tonight. Bayer Leverkusen’s Victor Boniface is back in the squad and on the bench, while Kelechi Iheanacho and Paul Onuachu pose threats playing up front alongside the Atalanta forward up front.
Nigeria starting lineup (4-2-3-1, right to left): Nwabali (GK) — Osayi-Samuel, Ajayi, Tanimu, Bassey — Ndidi, Onyedika — Lookman, Iwobi, Chukwueze — Boniface.
Nigeria subs (12): Ojo (GK), Moffi, Boniface, Onyeka, Abdullahi, Chukwueze, Awaziem, Olawoyin, Igboke, Ismaila, Okoye, Onyedika.
South Africa face injury concerns too. Kaizer Chiefs’ Given Msimango replaces Grant Kekana. Newcomers include Orlando Pirates’ Nkosinathi Sibisi and Siyabonga Ngezana. However, key players like Ronwen Williams and Percy Tau available and both start tonight.
South Africa predicted lineup (4-2-3-1, right to left): Williams (GK) — Rayners, Mudau, Ngezana, Modiba — Mokoena, Sithole — Mvala, Zwane; Mokwana — Tau.
South Africa subs (9): Mothwa (GK), Goss (GK), Robbie, Msimango, Sibs, Morena, Mofokeng, Appollis, Adams, Aubaas, Foster, Maswanganyi.
Nigeria vs. South Africa live stream, TV channel
Here’s how to watch this World Cup qualifying match across selected areas of the world’s major regions:
| Region | TV | Streaming |
| International (selected regions) | — | FIFA+ |
For fans worldwide, Matchday 3 and Matchday 4 of the CAF qualifiers can be streamed on FIFA+ except in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. Highlights of all matches will also be available on FIFA+ globally.
In India, fans can stream the game via FanCode, while in South Africa, it will be broadcast on SABC Plus and SABC Sport.
If Nigeria vs. South Africa is not available to watch live in your location or if you’re traveling abroad, you can use a Virtual Private Network (VPN). VPNs offer a secure and private online connection, allowing you to bypass geographical restrictions to access your favorite streaming services from any device anywhere in the world.
WATCH FROM ANYWHERE: Sign up for NordVPN (30-day moneyback guarantee)