Super Eagles head coach, Eric Chelle, has emphasized that Nigeria will not allow South Africa to control the game when both teams meet in the crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier in September. Chelle, who has already begun his tenure with a promising 2-0 win over Rwanda, faced a setback when Nigeria conceded a late equalizer in Uyo, resulting in a frustrating 1-1 draw against Zimbabwe.

That disappointing result left Nigerian fans frustrated and put the Super Eagles in a precarious position in Group C of the qualifiers. With only seven points from six games, Nigeria is currently sitting fourth in the group, six points behind the leaders, South Africa.

As the qualifiers resume in September, Nigeria will take on Rwanda and South Africa, needing a perfect performance to keep their hopes of reaching the World Cup alive. The clash with South Africa is particularly significant, given the recent history between the two teams. Nigeria emerged victorious in the semi-finals of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), securing a penalty win after a hard-fought battle. South Africa, on the other hand, finished in third place in the tournament after their defeat to Nigeria.

However, despite the significance of their match against South Africa, Chelle's immediate focus is on the match against Rwanda, which is the first of Nigeria's two September qualifiers. "It’s an obligation we win in South Africa, but the most important match for us right now is Rwanda in Uyo," Chelle told SCORENigeria. He added, "South Africa are a good side, but for that game, we cannot afford to allow them to play. But first, we have to beat Rwanda at home, and then we will focus on the game in South Africa."

Before these critical fixtures, the Super Eagles will have a chance to build further preparation, as they are set to face Russia in an international friendly in June. Additionally, they will participate in a four-nation invitational tournament featuring Jamaica and Ghana, giving them valuable match experience and additional preparation for the decisive World Cup qualifiers in September.