Bafana vs Super Eagles: 5 Players Who Could Be Surprise Heroes

Bafana Bafana will welcome Nigeria’s Super Eagles in a high stakes 2026 World Cup qualifier in Bloemfontein and the match could see the emergence of new heroes.

Both teams have unearthed a number of exciting talents over the qualification phase while some forgotten men have also come to the fore and are playing a key part.

Heading into Tuesday’s match at the Free State Stadium, Afrik-Foot highlights the players who could surprise.

Thabiso Monyane

The Kaizer Chiefs right-back received a late call-up following the injury to Nyiko Mobbie, who started Friday’s match, and with his experience, it appears that he will walk straight into the team.

Monyane has started the season brilliantly for Chiefs this season and coach Hugo Broos had promised to reward him with a call-up in October but it has come early.

He has a chance to grab the opportunity and make the position his own given the uncertainty surrounding Khuliso Mudau.

Benjamin Fredrick

Still just 20, the central defender, who plays for Dender EH in Belgium, was a surprise inclusion in the Super Eagles’ starting XI as they beat Rwanda on Saturday.

Fredrick was included at the expense of experienced captain Willian Toost-Ekong and he performed admirably, earning praise from coach Eric Chelle.

That seems to have been an audition for the Bafana Bafana game and he is one of the unknown quantities that could surprise South Africa on Tuesday.

Mohau Nkota

Already looking like he could be a star in the near future, the Al-Ettifaq winger has been coming up slowly and this is a game that will thrust him further into the spotlight.

He scored his debut goal for Bafana Bafana on Friday and this is a game that suits him perfectly since Nigeria will come out to attack and leave him with space to attack.

Nkota is at his best when running at opponents or against a high defensive line that allows him to stretch the backline and find himself in good areas to cause damage to the Super Eagles.

Tolu Arokodare

The 24-year-old came off the bench to score a brilliant goal for Nigeria as they beat Rwanda 1-0 on Friday and will lead the line in Bloemfontein now that star striker Victor Osimhen is out injured.

The new Wolves striker has earned just five caps for Nigeria but he has two goals and South Africa have to watch him closely as his movement in and around the box is great and he is able to strike in a flash.

Kamogelo Sebelebele

The Orlando Pirates winger was afforded 15 minutes against Lesotho in what was his Bafana Bafana debut and while he did not do much, he could surprise the Super Eagles.

The former TS Galaxy winger has started life at Pirates brilliantly with three goals in seven games and has the ability to shoot from distance, added to his great quality in the box.

Sebelebele can make a difference when the game is tight due to his knack for pulling off the spectacular and he is a man that Nigeria have to watch closely whatever minutes he is afforded by coach Broos.