Overview

• Team doctors said Victor Osimhen woke with discomfort and was diagnosed with a shin bruise, and he has returned to Galatasaray for further assessment.
• Nigeria’s 22-man squad arrived in Bloemfontein without their top scorer, leaving Éric Chelle to consider Tolu Arokodare, Cyriel Dessers or Samuel Chukwueze to lead the line.
• Arokodare scored the winner in the 1-0 victory over Rwanda that lifted Nigeria to 10 points, six behind South Africa and one behind Benin in Group C.
• Only group winners qualify automatically for 2026, with the four best runners-up entering a playoff, making a positive result against South Africa essential for Nigeria’s campaign.
• Kickoff is Tuesday at 18:00 CAT at Free State Stadium, with free streaming on FIFA+, as South Africa await any decision on a potential points deduction related to Teboho Mokoena.