South Africa vs Nigeria: 3 things Super Eagles must do to achieve ‘Mission Impossible’

Make no mistake: the task before the Super Eagles as they file out for South Africa vs Nigeria on Tuesday is a daunting one. 

Not only do Bafana hold all the aces, but they have been comfortably the more impressive side over the course of the qualifying series. Nigeria may have the superior head-to-head historically, but only once have the three-time African champions actually won a competitive match against South Africa within the borders of the rainbow nation. Not even the vaunted 1990s generation managed it.

However, records are for breaking; in any case, the Super Eagles are condemned to win. Any less, and it would be curtains for their hopes of making the 2026 World Cup. So, here  are three things Eric Chelle and his men must do if they are to achieve the impossible in Bloemfontein.

Super Eagles must emphasise physical advantages

In many ways, it is a bit of a shame that Chelle is of an idealistic bent as a coach. A more pragmatic manager would have prioritised physicality and aggression in a match like this.

With the bulk of their squad drawn from two clubs and their cultural disposition toward a technical, flair-based style, there are few teams on the continent that can comprehensively outplay Bafana. Thankfully, there is more than one way to win a football match – for this assignment, exploiting the size and speed advantage that the Super Eagles have always enjoyed over South Africa is key.

Uche, Dele-Bashiru need to start South Africa vs Nigeria

In service of that aforementioned physical approach, a good place for Chelle to start would be to select his most dynamic players.

Christantus Uche has been a revelation in Spain, earning a move to the Premier League off the back of sensational support striker performances. His mix of physicality, work rate and self-confidence would be perfect in the hostile territory of a South Africa vs Nigeria cracker.

In a similar vein, having Fisayo Dele-Bashiru’s movement in the final third is a virtual cheat code. He has struggled at club level having to play a deeper role to which he is not perfectly suited, but would relish the opportunity to run amok against an opponent he has already scored on during this series, especially if played off a physical centre-forward laying the ball off.

Chelle must not leave Ndidi by himself

Wilfred Ndidi has been an exemplary servant for the Super Eagles, but he is unquestionably in physical decline. Leaving him to shield the defence on his own may work against limited opposition, but it would be suicide against the quality that South Africa possess.

It may be difficult to do within Chelle’s diamond, but some sort of double pivot is imperative, both to help Ndidi and to aid the use of the ball. 

This is where a player like Raphael Onyedika comes in: the Club Brugge man is criminally underused, but has stood out whenever called upon. He would do Nigeria’s use of the ball no end of good.