Nigeria’s hopes of reaching a seventh FIFA World Cup tournament are in tatters, after they played out a 1-1 draw against group leaders, South Africa, at the Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein.
The Super Eagles came into the fixture needing to claim all three points, in a bid to resurrect their dwindling hopes of reaching next summer’s showpiece in North America, while the South Africans were hoping for a positive outcome in a bid to retain their healthy points advantage against the chasing pack in Group C.
In the end, it finished with both sides sharing the spoils at the Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein. Both countries had drawn the reverse fixture at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo, during the earlier rounds of the qualification series.
As it stands, South Africa currently have 17 points from eight games, six points clear of Nigeria, who have 11 points from the same number of matches played.
To have any realistic chance of qualifying, Nigeria need to finish in the top two in Group C. Eric Chelle’s men must win their remaining matches against Lesotho and Benin Republic and also hope others in the group drop points, to have a shot at World Cup qualification.