South Africa goalkeeper Ronwen Williams believes Bafana Bafana have what it takes to beat Nigeria in their backyard when they face the Super Eagles in a 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying encounter next month.
The two heavyweights will come face-to-face on 7 June in Abuja, in a game that will be key in deciding who finishes at the summit of Group C of the CAF World Cup qualifiers. South Africa are currently second in the group with three points after winning one out of their two qualifying matches so far.
Nigeria are also a point behind Bafana Bafana, having dawn both of their qualifying matches against Zimbabwe and Lesotho. With Rwanda sitting at the top of the group ahead of the two heavyweights, the upcoming game between Nigeria and South Africa has gained added prominence.
The Super Eagles have a better head-to-head record against Hugo Broos’ side, but have won just once against them in their previous seven meetings. The last encounter between the two teams came during the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON 2024) in Ivory Coast three months ago, where Nigeria beat South Africa in the semi-finals on penalties following a 1-1 draw in regulation and extra time.
Ronwen Williams targets repeat of 2017 win over Super Eagles
Williams was a key member of the Bafana Bafana side that lost on penalties to Nigeria in Ivory Coast and believes he and his teammates are capable of beating the Super Eagles in Abuja.
The Mamelodi Sundowns goalkeeper enjoyed an impressive AFCON tournament, where he kept five clean sheets in seven matches on his way to winning the Golden Glove. The 32-year-old is also one of few players who were in the squad when South Africa upset Nigeria in their own backyard seven years ago.
Facing the West Africans in a 2019 AFCON qualifier at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo, Bafana Bafana romped to a 2-0 victory following second-half goals from Tokelo Rantie and Percy Tau. Although Nigeria are much improved and have better players now, Williams is confident that South Africa can repeat another win over the Super Eagles away from home.
“The last time we went to Nigeria we beat them … I was part of that squad so I will share my experience with the players,” Williams said, as quoted by The Citizen SA.
“And it was a valuable experience in the AFCON, playing Nigeria. I think that was one of our better games at the AFCON, so it is possible to go there and get a result. Why not? We have shown we can compete with the best, we just need to show that consistency.”
Nigeria’s poor record against South Africa in the last decade
Meanwhile, Finidi George is faced with the daunting task of getting the better of South Africa, who have been a thorn in the flesh of the Super Eagles in the last decade.
Since 2014, Nigeria have played seven matches against Bafana Bafana and have won just once from open play – a 2-0 victory that came during the 2019 AFCON. This is a record that George will be aiming to change after being appointed as the substantive head coach of the Nigeria national team.
The 53-year-old showed flashes of what he could bring on board when he guided the Super Eagles to an impressive win over Ghana during the March international break, but his flaws were also evident in the team’s disappointing 2-0 defeat at the hands of Mali.
While the game against South Africa will be George’s first competitive match in charge, he has very little room for a false start after being tasked with qualifying the Super Eagles for the next World Cup.
