Nigeria's 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification hopes suffered a huge setback Friday after the Super Eagles managed a 1-1 draw against the Bafana Bafana of South Africa, Exclusivenews.com.ng reports.

More cautious, tactical and disciplined Bafana Bafana strolled into the lead when the visitors, enjoying a more crisp, enthralling game ripped open Super Eagles defense two minutes before the half hour mark only for 
Themba Zwane to coolly find the back of goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali's net.

The visitors should have doubled their advantage minutes later but Mokoena's extraordinary free kick scretched over the crossbar to the relief of the Nigerians.

That was not all. The visitors would later carve out another glorious opportunity to increase their lead but the striker directed his effort wide of the near post.

But after the break, Super Eagles came back fully into their strides and Dele-Bashiru Faruq drew the Eagles back on level terms on 46th minutes.

The Super Eagles now took charge of thing, bossing their guests but had nothing to show for their dominance, losing initiative and precision in the final third.

What could have been the defining moment arrived in the 53rd minute when Nigeria's penalty appeal was waved away by the referee after Bashiru went to the ground inside the area under a harsh challenge by a South African defender, a decision that evoked clamour for introduction of Video Assistant Referee, VAR, by FIFA in the World Cup qualifying games.

The result means Super Eagles now have three points from three games even with Rwanda sitting top of the standings with five points.

With a crucial fixture Monday in Ivory Coast against second placed Republic of Benin, Super Eagles would have to amass every point available if they must get their USA/Canada/Mexico 2026 World Cup back on track.