Nigeria vs South Africa Predictions, Tips and Odds: Key World Cup Qualifying Clash
Nigeria and South Africa go head-to-head in a key African World Cup qualifying match.
Nigeria vs South Africa predictions
Nigeria vs South Africa: Predictions |
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| Bet | Prediction | Best odds |
| BTTS? | Yes | 13/8 with Bet365 |
| Correct Score | Nigeria 1-1 South Africa | 7/1 with BetGoodwin |
| First Goalscorer | Ademola Lookman | 6/1 with Bet365 |
The stats behind our Nigeria vs South Africa predictions:
- Nigeria are without a clean sheet in their last four matches.
- South Africa, meanwhile, have just one clean sheet in their last four and even failed to keep a shutout against Andorra, drawing 1-1 in March.
- Bafana Bafana have drawn their last five matches, while Nigeria have only won one of their last four.
- The last time these sides met in February, it finished 1-1 in normal time with Nigeria winning on penalties.
- Ademola Lookman has scored four goals in his last six caps for Nigeria after scoring just twice in his first 20.
A key World Cup qualifier
It’s been a poor start to World Cup qualifying for Nigeria, who have opened their campaign with just two points from two games, picking up disappointing 1-1 draws against Lesotho and Zimbabwe back in November. While there are still 10 games to go, they simply must get going soon, especially given their status as favourites to win the group and the extra pressure applied by missing out on the 2022 World Cup.
Up next is a home clash with a South Africa side who themselves fell to a disappointing result in their last qualifier, losing 2-0 away to Rwanda, but that only came after opening with a 2-1 victory against Benin. More recently, it’s been a curious run for South Africa. On the one hand, they’re unbeaten in their last eight, but on the other, they’ve only won twice during that time and have drawn their last five matches. There have been highs with a 2-0 win against Morocco and pushing Algeria all the way in a 3-3 draw. But there have been embarrassing lows, most notably drawing 1-1 with European minnows Andorra.
The outcome of this match might well dictate the pace for the rest of this qualification campaign. Lose, and Nigeria will be playing catch-up. Win and they should go on to assert their dominance.
Nigeria vs South Africa match tip
Both teams to score and under 2.5 goals @ 7/1 with Bet365
There has been just one clean sheet in the last six meetings between these two teams, but only two of those meetings have yielded more than two goals.
Nigeria vs South Africa odds
Home advantage and, on paper, a superior playing squad make Nigeria favourites here, but South Africa can be a tough nut to crack and the hosts haven’t made things simple for themselves in recent times.
Nigeria vs South Africa team news
Nigeria team news |
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| In | Out | Doubtful |
| – | William Troost-Ekong, Victor Osimhen, Ahmed Musa, Kenneth Omeruo, Nathan Tella | – |
Top Scorer: Kelechi Iheanacho, Semi Ajayi (1)
Card Magnet: Calvin Bassey, Jamilu Collins, Semi Ajayi, Umar Sadiq (1)
Assist Ace: Kelechi Iheanacho, Moses Simon (1)
South Africa team news |
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| In | Out | Doubtful |
| – | Grant Kekana | – |
Top Scorer: Khuliso Mudau, Percy Tau (1)
Card Magnet: Teboho Mokoena (1)
Assist Ace: Sphephelo Sithole (1)
How to watch Nigeria vs South Africa live
Nigeria vs South Africa takes place on Friday at 8pm (UK time). The game will not be broadcast live on UK TV, but can be streamed via the FIFA+ service.
Nigeria vs South Africa head-to-head
- 07 February 2024 – Nigeria 1-1 South Africa – Africa Cup of Nations
- 10 July 2019 – Nigeria 2-1 South Africa – Africa Cup of Nations
- 17 November 2018 – South Africa 1-1 Nigeria – AFCON qualifying
- 10 June 2017 – Nigeria 0-2 South Africa – AFCON qualifying
- 29 March 2015 – South Africa 1-1 Nigeria – Friendly
Five of the last seven meetings between these two sides have ended level after normal time, with each winning one of the other two.
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