Super Eagles lineup today: Hero Arokodare benched, Ekong returns to confirmed XI South Africa vs Nigeria

Tuesday evening will see the Super Eagles in a date with destiny when South Africa vs Nigeria kicks off at the Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein.

A pivotal qualifier for the 2026 World Cup, this meeting is the eighth fixture of a 10-match series to secure a place in North America next summer. Nigeria, in third place, are six points behind runaway leaders and group favourites Bafana, and a win would see them close the gap somewhat ahead of the October window.

Eric Chelle will be without talisman Victor Osimhen for this daunting task, but can at least call upon the likes of Ademola Lookman, Alex Iwobi, Calvin Bassey and Wilfred Ndidi, as well as striker Tolu Arokodare, who has already made a big impression in only a handful of caps to date.

South Africa vs Nigeria lineups

South Africa (Confirmed)

Goalkeeper: Ronwen Williams
Defenders: Zuko Mdunyelwa, Siyabonga Ngezane, Mbekezeli Mbokazi, Samukele Kabini
Midfielders: Teboho Mokoena, Bathusi Aubass, Mohau Nkota
Forwards: Sipho Mbule, Oswin Appollis, Lyle Foster

Nigeria (Confirmed)

Goalkeeper: Stanley Nwabali
Defenders: Ola Aina, Benjamin Fredrick, William Troot-Ekong, Calvin Bassey
Midfielders: Wilfred Ndidi, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, Alex Iwobi
Forwards: Cyriel Dessers, Moses Simon, Ademola Lookman

Arokodare not trusted to fill Super Eagles' Osimhen-shaped hole for South Africa vs Nigeria

Even with his first-choice Super Eagles forwards missing, Chelle can still boast of the leading scorer in Belgium, Tolu Arokodare. 

The 24-year-old brings different attributes to the table than, say, Victor Osimhen. However, whenever called upon, the new Wolves striker has risen to the challenge in green and white. In spite of this, however, the Malian coach has opted to leave the Rwanda hero on the bench.

The nod upfront has instead gone to Cyriel Dessers. The Panathinaikos striker was less than convincing in his cameo against Amavubi, but has credit from May's Unity Cup, where he shone.

Lookman is favourite to start alongside. The Atalanta man was surprisingly selected from the start for the first leg, and looked a little rusty. If he is able to shake off that rust, he could be the Super Eagles' ace in the hole.