Bafana Bafana striker Lyle Foster will be hoping to crown his birthday celebrations with a memorable performance when South Africa take on Nigeria in a blockbuster 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier at the Free State Stadium on Tuesday night.
Foster, who recently marked his birthday while in camp with the national team, believes that despite the high stakes, Bafana are not weighed down by pressure ahead of the clash against their long-time rivals.
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“I don’t necessarily think there’s pressure on us. I think at the moment we are where we are in the group and that’s a positive,” said the Burnley forward, speaking through SAFA’s media department.
“I think pressure is on the guys who are trying to get to us, but that doesn’t mean we should take our foot off the gas or take our foot off the pedal.
“I think that we should just have the same mentality still and keep steady, keep playing game by game, staying humble and just like I said, taking the game as it comes. I don’t necessarily think there’s pressure. I think the pressure is on those who are trying to get to us. I think we’ve had a good start, but the most important thing is trying to push forward and make sure that we seal it.”
Hugo Broos’ charges head into the encounter full of confidence after a commanding 3-0 victory over Lesotho at the same venue on Friday night.
Nigeria, meanwhile, come into the tie with momentum of their own, having edged Rwanda 1-0 in Uyo on Saturday.
The Super Eagles arrived in South Africa on Sunday, appearing to be in high spirits despite being without their star striker Victor Osimhen, who has been ruled out of the clash.
The Galatasaray forward limped off midway through the first half against Rwanda after picking up an injury and will not feature in Tuesday’s crucial showdown.
The clash is set to be decisive in the race for qualification. Bafana currently top Group C with 16 points from seven matches, while Nigeria sit third with 10 points.
A win for Bafana would strengthen their grip on the group and edge them closer to a place at the global showpiece.
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The encounter in Bloemfontein promises to be more than just a meeting of two African football powerhouses; it is also a test of character and composure.
With Foster leading the line and Broos’ charges determined to maintain momentum, South Africa will look to extend their unbeaten run and give their supporters another reason to dream of a return to the world stage.
