Burnley striker Lyle Foster says Bafana Bafana will walk into Tuesday’s crunch 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Nigeria with confidence, fresh from their emphatic 3-0 victory over Lesotho.

The win saw Hugo Broos’ men consolidate their lead at the top of Group C, putting them in pole position to seal qualification. They now welcome the Super Eagles to the Toyota Stadium in Bloemfontein, where a win would bring them within touching distance of a World Cup ticket.

Nigeria, however, are under pressure to narrow the gap at the top to just three points after struggling in earlier fixtures. With their star striker Victor Osimhen sidelined by injury, coach Eric Chelle faces a huge tactical challenge to keep the team’s hopes alive.

Foster, though, believes the weight of expectation lies squarely on the visitors.

“I don’t necessarily think there’s pressure on us. I think at the moment we are where we are in the group and that’s a positive,” Foster told safa.net.

Opinion

On paper, South Africa have every reason to be confident. They are playing at home, leading the group, and coming off the back of a convincing victory. Foster’s comments reflect a team enjoying momentum, chemistry, and belief in their coach’s philosophy.

Nigeria, by contrast, look shaky. The injury to Osimhen is a hammer blow; without their talisman, the Eagles often lose their cutting edge. Add to that their inconsistent performances so far, and you see why Foster is right to suggest the pressure is on Nigeria.

But football has a way of defying logic. Sometimes, a wounded giant becomes the most dangerous opponent. Nigeria are not strangers to adversity, and the Super Eagles have a history of rising when written off. If Chelle can rally his side and inspire players like Ademola Lookman and Alex Iwobi to step up, Tuesday’s clash could flip the narrative.

One thing is certain: this isn’t just a football match—it’s a battle for pride, momentum, and a step closer to the world’s biggest stage. The question is, will South Africa’s confidence hold, or will Nigeria’s desperation fuel a statement performance?