Advantage Super Eagles? Zimbabwe abandon South Africa in 2026 WCQ home stretch

The Super Eagles’ hopes of reviving their 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign may have received an unexpected boost after Zimbabwe opted to abandon South Africa as their adopted home ground.

The Warriors, winless in Group C, have announced that their decisive clash with Bafana Bafana will now take place at the Obed Itani Chilume Stadium in Francistown, Botswana, on Friday, October 10.

The move ends a run of three “home” games played inside South Africa and is widely viewed as an attempt to deny Bafana the comfort of familiar surroundings in the closing stretch of the qualifiers.

Nigeria vs South Africa: Latest score, head-to-head, lineups, stats and match time — Photo by IMAGO

Super Eagles’ struggles in CAF WCQ Group C

The Super Eagles have endured a difficult qualifying journey, winning just two of their opening eight matches. Both meetings with Zimbabwe ended in draws, including the frustrating 1-1 result in Uyo that left Eric Chelle’s side with ground to make up in the final rounds.

Nigeria, currently third with 11 points, are still chasing automatic World Cup qualification and need every twist in the group to go in their favour.

Next Super Eagles opponent: Date & time of the next Nigeria match — Photo by IMAGO

South Africa remain top with 17 points, though their position could yet be complicated by FIFA’s pending decision over the fielding of suspended midfielder Teboho Mokoena against Lesotho.

Zimbabwe’s decision to move their “home” away from South Africa hands the Super Eagles an indirect boost, with the Bafana Bafana now expected to face a true away atmosphere unlike the game against Lesotho.