Ikpeba warns Bafana Bafana: Super Eagles always beat South Africa when it matters most

Former African Footballer of the Year Victor Ikpeba has predicted that the Super Eagles will make South Africa's Bafana Bafana 'crumble' once again when the two sides clash in a decisive 2026 World Cup qualifier in Bloemfontein on Tuesday.

Nigeria moved up to ten points in Group C after Saturday's hard-fought 1-0 victory over Rwanda in Uyo, keeping their qualification hopes alive.

In theory, a win in Bloemfontein could lift the Super Eagles level on points with Bafana Bafana, who are facing a possible three-point deduction for fielding ineligible midfielder Teboho Mokoena during their qualifier against Lesotho in March.

Speaking on SuperSport shortly after Nigeria's victory over Rwanda, Ikpeba said football was often about mindset and noted that the Super Eagles had always enjoyed a psychological edge over South Africa.

He recalled that in the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt, as well as the most recent tournament, South Africa had impressed but ultimately crumbled against Nigeria, suggesting a recurring pattern.

Ikpeba added that Tuesday's clash would see Bafana Bafana under greater pressure, especially after Nigeria's win over Rwanda, which he believed made it their game to lose.

He acknowledged that South Africa had a strong team and a good manager in Hugo Broos, but stressed that Nigeria had what it took to beat them.

He concluded that the Super Eagles had historically had the upper hand in decisive matches between the two nations and urged the players to exploit South Africa's weaknesses, insisting their opponents would make mistakes and were beatable.

The Super Eagles left Uyo for Bloemfontein on Sunday morning without star striker Victor Osimhen, who was forced to withdraw from the travelling squad after sustaining an injury in the first half of Saturday's victory over Rwanda.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

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