Chukwueze Confident as Super Eagles Face South Africa in Crucial World Cup Qualifier

Super Eagles forward Samuel Chukwueze has expressed optimism that Nigeria will overcome the Bafana Bafana of South Africa in their crunch 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier on Tuesday.

The decisive matchday eight clash will take place at the Toyota Stadium in Bloemfontein, where the Super Eagles will seek nothing less than victory to keep their World Cup dreams alive.

South Africa currently sit atop the group and head into the game in confident spirits after defeating Rwanda 1-0 on Saturday. But for Nigeria, the stakes are even higher—only three points will solidify their path toward booking a ticket to the World Cup finals.

Chukwueze, who described the South Africans as “a strong team with good players,” believes the Super Eagles have the quality and mentality to rise to the occasion.

“They are first in the group, but we are Nigeria, and we have a good team to compete with them,” the 26-year-old Fulham star told the Super Eagles media.

“I believe we will get a good result here. The most important thing is for us to win. We are really focused on that. I’m confident we will be in the World Cup. All we just need is the support of Nigerians.”

The match will kick off at 5pm Nigerian time, with millions of fans across the continent expected to tune in.

Opinion: Nigeria Must Play Like a Team Hungry for the World Stage

Chukwueze’s confidence is refreshing, but optimism alone does not win World Cup qualifiers. The truth is, this fixture against South Africa will be a battle of mentality, discipline, and teamwork.

Nigeria has the stars—Chukwueze, Osimhen, Lookman, Ndidi—but star power must translate into unity on the pitch. South Africa, under Hugo Broos, are not just playing with confidence; they are playing with structure and belief. And that’s where Nigeria must rise: no room for complacency, no room for selfish play, no room for excuses.

The Super Eagles have a history of thriving under pressure. The badge on their chest carries a weight that goes beyond football—it carries the pride of a nation. If they can channel that passion into tactical discipline and clinical finishing, then Nigeria’s dream of returning to the biggest stage in football is within reach.

For the fans, this is not just another qualifier—it’s a call to believe and support. For the players, it is more than 90 minutes of football—it is destiny.