With Bafana Bafana set to do battle with Nigeria in a crunch 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier on Friday, here's a look at the Super Eagles dangermen South Africa will have to deal with!
The rivalry between Bafana and the Super Eagles has gradually become a fierce contest, with their previous meeting at the semi-finals of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations having reportedly leaving five Nigerians dead due to heart-related complications while watching the match.
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Their storied rivalry sees Nigeria hold the upper hand as they have won seven and drawn five of the past 14 meetings between them, while South Africa have managed only two victories.
The Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo will be the stage for yet another thrilling bout between the two teams, with Hugo Broos' side looking to make up for that 4-2 defeat, on penalties, at the AFCON.
However, several Nigeria attackers will have a few things to say about it, including this season's UEFA Europa League star man Ademola Lookman.
Ademola Lookman
The Atalanta star will enter the game on the back of a sensational season with the Italian outfit, who clinched their first-ever European trophy thanks to a superb hat-trick by Lookman in the final of the Europa League last month. The London-born Nigerian has also just enjoyed his highest-scoring season as a player, registering 17 goals and 10 assists in 45 appearances in all competitions. His purple patch, as some might call it, has also reflected at international level, with the 26-year-old having five goal involvements for his country since the turn of 2024. With Finidi George's side set to be without their main talisman Victor Osimhen, Lookman will be among those waging a threat on Ronwen Williams' goal on Friday.
Victor Boniface
Bayer Leverkusen's top goalscorer in their historic 2023/24 campaign, Boniface contributed a productive 21 goals and 10 assists in 34 games last term. The big centre-forward is known for his dominant physicality and fantastic hold-up play, which allows wide players such as Lookman and Samuel Chukwueze to make dangerous runs behind the defence. Perhaps worryingly for Bafana defenders, Boniface has a point to prove in the national team after he missed out on the AFCON earlier this year. Although he was one of the most dangerous strikers in Europe this past season, he has a return of just one goal in five matches for his country, but this could serve as added motivation for him to put in a good display against South Africa and give the manager a selection headache once Osimhen returns.
Alex Iwobi
Although six goals and two assists in 35 club matches for Fulham this past season doesn't sound like any imminent danger, the key to Iwobi's game of late has been his constant presence in midfield, with only seven of his of club teammates having played more minutes than him in 2023/24. According to FBref, Iwobi ranks in the top 90% of midfielders in Europe for shots taken, touches, progressive carries, and successful take-ons too. As such, Bafana's midfielders will have to be on high alert for his charging runs and shot-creating actions, which often start from deep midfield.
Honourable mentions go to Chukwueze of AC Milan, Nice forward Terem Moffi, and Leicester City striker Kelechi Iheanacho.
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