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South African Envoy Visits NFF Ahead of Decisive World Cup Qualifier in Bloemfontein

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With just over two weeks to Nigeria’s crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying clash against South Africa, diplomatic and footballing conversations are already underway.

On Monday, the Minister Plenipotentiary at the South African High Commission to Nigeria, Lindi Mminele, paid a courtesy visit to the Secretariat of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) in Abuja.

She was received by NFF General Secretary, Dr Mohammed Sanusi (MON), alongside the Federation’s Director of Communications, Dr Ademola Olajire, Head of Protocol, Emmanuel Ayanbunmi, and Protocol Officer, Prince Bamaiyi Usman.

Central to the discussions was the facilitation of entry visas for Nigeria’s delegation travelling to Bloemfontein, where the Super Eagles will take on Bafana Bafana in a high-stakes qualifier on Tuesday, 9 September 2025.

The encounter at the Free State Stadium is already billed as one of the most decisive fixtures of Group C, with both nations battling fiercely for a spot at the 2026 World Cup to be jointly hosted by the USA, Canada, and Mexico.

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Dr Sanusi expressed appreciation for the envoy’s proactive engagement, describing it as a demonstration of goodwill and sports diplomacy between the two nations.

“Football has always been a unifying force between Nigeria and South Africa. We appreciate the commitment of the High Commission in ensuring a smooth process for our team’s travel and participation in this very important match,” Sanusi stated.

Mminele, in turn, assured that her mission would work closely with the Federation to ensure a seamless visa process for the Nigerian delegation.

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Kunle Solaja is the author of landmark books on sports and journalism as well as being a multiple award-winning journalist and editor of long standing. He is easily Nigeria’s foremost soccer diarist and Africa's most capped FIFA World Cup journalist, having attended all FIFA World Cup finals from Italia ’90 to Qatar 2022. He was honoured at the Qatar 2022 World Cup by FIFA and AIPS.

World Cup

List of qualified teams for the 2026 World Cup

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The following is a list of teams that have qualified for the 2026 World Cup, which will be hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada from June 11 to July 19.

UNITED STATES

Taking part as hosts

Best performance: Third place (1930)

MEXICO:

Taking part as hosts

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Best performance: Quarter-finals (1970, 1986)

CANADA:

Taking part as hosts

Best performance: Group stage (1986, 2022)

JAPAN

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Qualified on March, 20.

Best performance: Round of 16 (2002, 2010, 2018, 2022)

NEW ZEALAND

Qualified on March, 24.

Best performance: Group stage (1982, 2010)

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IRAN

Qualified on March, 25.

Best performance: Group stage (1978, 1998, 2006, 2014, 2018, 2022)

ARGENTINA

Qualified on March, 25.

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Best performance: Winners (1978, 1986, 2022)

UZBEKISTAN

Qualified on June, 5.

Best performance: Never previously qualified.

SOUTH KOREA

Qualified June, 5.

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Best performance: Fourth place (2002)

JORDAN

Qualified June, 5.

Best performance: Never previously qualified.

AUSTRALIA

Qualified June, 10.

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Best performance: Round of 16 (2006, 2022)

BRAZIL

Qualified June, 10.

Best performance: Winners (1958, 1962, 1970, 1994, 2002)

ECUADOR

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Qualified June, 10.

Best performance: Round of 16 (2006)

URUGUAY

Qualified September, 4.

Best performance: Winners (1930, 1950)

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COLOMBIA

Qualified September, 4.

Best performance: Quarter-finals (2014)

PARAGUAY

Qualified September, 4.

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Best performance: Quarter-finals (2010)

MOROCCO

Qualified September, 5.

Best performance: Semi-finals (2022)

TUNISIA

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Qualified September, 8.

Best performance: Group Stage (1978, 1998, 2002, 2006, 2018, 2022)

EGYPT

Qualified October, 8.

Best performance: Round of 16 (1934)

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-Reuters

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Egypt defeat Djibouti to qualify for World Cup

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Egypt became the third African country to book a berth at next year’s World Cup finals with an easy 3-0 win over Djibouti in Casablanca on Wednesday that secured them top place in Group A with one game remaining.

Egypt, who have competed at three previous World Cups, join fellow north African nations Morocco and Tunisia at the 2026 tournament in North America.

-Reuters

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World Cup

Logistics reduce Super Eagles 23-man squad

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Forward Victor Osimhen is back after missing the game against South Africa in Bloemfontein due to injury.

Russia-based forward Olakunle Olusegun is still awaiting an entry visa to South Africa, creating the possibility that Nigeria may prosecute the encounter with only 21 available players.

Friday’s crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying encounter at the New Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane, South Africa.

Head Coach Eric Sekou Chelle will have a total of 20 players available for Wednesday’s second training session, as the Super Eagles intensify preparations for the tie against the Crocodiles.

By Tuesday night, 18 players had checked into the team’s camp at The Ranch Hotel in Polokwane, with Portugal-based defender Zaidu Sanusi and Spain-based forward Jerome Akor Adams expected to join on Wednesday. United States-based midfielder Alhassan Yusuf Abdullahi is due to arrive on Thursday.

Chelle has had to adjust his squad following injuries to Bright Osayi-Samuel and Cyriel Dessers, prompting the late inclusion of Zaidu Sanusi and Christantus Uche of Crystal Palace. Earlier, a knock to wing-back Felix Agu had reduced the initial 23-man roster to 22.

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Team captain William Ekong lacing his boots for training in Polokwane on Tuesday

Friday’s Matchday 9 fixture will kick off at 6pm South Africa time (5pm Nigeria time) at the New Peter Mokaba Stadium, as the Super Eagles aim to strengthen their position in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying race.

21 SUPER EAGLES TO BATTLE LESOTHO IN POLOKWANE

Goalkeepers: Stanley Nwabali (Chippa United, South Africa); Amas Obasogie (Singida Blackstars, Tanzania); Adeleye Adebayo (Volos FC, Greece)

Defenders: William Ekong (Al-Kholood, Saudi Arabia); Calvin Bassey (Fulham FC, England); Oluwasemilogo Ajayi (Hull City, England); Zaidu Sanusi (FC Porto, Portugal); Bruno Onyemaechi (Olympiakos, Greece); Benjamin Fredericks (Dender FC, Belgium)

Midfielders: Alex Iwobi (Fulham FC, England); Frank Onyeka (Brentford FC, England); Alhassan Yusuf Abdullahi (New England Revolution, USA); Wilfred Ndidi (Besiktas FC, Turkey); Christantus Uche (Crystal Palace, England)

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Forwards: Ademola Lookman (Atalanta BC, Italy); Samuel Chukwueze (Fulham FC, England); Victor Osimhen (Galatasaray FC, Turkey); Simon Moses (Paris FC, France); Tolu Arokodare (Wolverhampton Wanderers, England); Terem Moffi (OGC Nice, France); Jerome Akor Adams (Sevilla FC, Spain)

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