Former Super Eagles goalkeeper Daniel Akpeyi has boldly stated that he no longer fears Bafana Bafana, setting a confident tone for Nigeria's upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier.
The highly anticipated showdown between the two African football giants is scheduled for tomorrow at 18:00 at the Free State Stadium.
Both teams enter the match with momentum, having recently triumphed in their Group C fixtures—Nigeria over Lesotho and South Africa over Rwanda.
This pivotal match presents a significant opportunity for Nigeria, who are currently in third place, to reduce the gap between themselves and group leaders South Africa. With World Cup qualification on the line, the tension will be palpable.
The match promises to be a closely contested battle, with both sides determined to secure a victory and take a major step forward in their quest for a spot in the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
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‘IT WILL BE TOUGH FOR BAFANA BAFANA’
“I'm not scared; I'm not fully convinced by the way Bafana Bafana beat Lesotho. However, the way Nigeria played against Rwanda has motivated many Nigerians,” Akpeyi told KickOff.
“Without disrespect, I think it will be tough for Bafana Bafana against Nigeria based on their performance against Lesotho. I'm going to give it to Nigeria.
“Rwanda's strategy of sitting back and relying on counterattacks made it difficult for Nigeria to secure a win. If it weren't for Rwanda's goalkeeper, Fiacre Ntwari, those opportunities could have resulted in goals.
“But knowing Bafana Bafana, they won't sit back, which will allow Nigeria to exploit the gaps they leave behind.
“Considering the experience and the age of the Nigerian players, I see Nigeria winning this match tomorrow.”