South Africa vs Nigeria: Top 5 Bafana Bafana Players to Watch

Bafana Bafana take on Nigeria in a crucial World Cup qualifier at the Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein on Tuesday with an eye on a win that will edge them closer to the 2026 tournament.

Group C leaders Bafana Bafana enjoy a six-point advantage over the Super Eagles and a win will complicate matters for Nigeria as they would be nine points behind top spot and potentially four adrift of second, assuming Benin win.

To secure victory, coach Hugo Broos will need to get his selection spot on while the team selected needs to do its job perfectly. So, who are the Bafana Bafana players likely to make a difference?

Ronwen Williams

The Bafana Bafana goalkeeper has not been really tested in the past three qualification games but will face a big examination on Tuesday against a star-studded Super Eagles team.

He has been supported by a good defence that has conceded five goals across seven qualification games although four of them came from the first four matches.

His shot-stopping skills and reflexes are still very much intact, as witnessed against Kaizer Chiefs last month, and in some moments against Lesotho on Friday, and they will be needed at the Toyota Stadium while his ball-playing abilities will help Bafana Bafana to play out from the back.  

Mbekezeli Mbokazi

The Orlando Pirates defender may be still 19 but he has been showing maturity ever since he made his senior team debut for the Buccaneers.

The left-footed centre-back will not just provide balance in defence but will come under massive test from the likes of Alex Iwobi, Moses Simon and Ademola Lookman.

Mbokazi has proved to be good at cutting out danger both on the ground and in the air while he is blessed with pace that will come in handy against the fleetfooted Nigerian forwards.

Teboho Mokoena

The ever-present central midfielder is the man who offers the Bafana defence protection and is a vital cog of the team.

With South Africa set to defend more this time, Mokoena will be key as he would be asked to drop back in defence to help put out the fire while he will also be the man that launches attacks from deep.

Luckily, he has the ability to make those line-breaking passes that can find team-mates higher up the pitch to cause havoc.

Mohau Nkota

The Saudi-based winger has been going from strength to strength and his goal against Lesotho suggested he is maturing and ready for the big jobs.

While this match will need experience, Nkota is the kind of player who can change the game in a flash whether he is starting on coming off the bench.

Blessed with pace and a strong left foot, Nkoka is fearless and can take on an opponent while he is never afraid to shoot from distance, something that will give Nigeria a hard time.

Sipho Mbule

The Pirates midfielder returned to the team for the first time since September 2021 on Friday and did not look like he had been away for four years.

Mbule had an impressive performance in the no.10 role but his biggest test comes on Tuesday against Nigeria.

In the match, the former Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder will be the man to make the final pass to the likes of Lyles Foster, Oswin Appollis and Nkota to get in behind the Super Eagles defence while he will have to win back the ball first when Bafana Bafana lose possession higher up the pitch.

If he impresses, then South Africa will likely have another good game, showing how vital he is in this contest.