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Article continues belowArticle continues belowArticle continues below<ul><li>Nigeria host Bafana in the first week of June</li><li>The two teams met recently at Afcon</li><li>George confirms his squad</li></ul><script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script>

Nwabali heads Nigeria's squad to play South Africa in 2026 Fifa World Cup qualifier! Will Chippa United star deny Bafana Bafana win again?

Nigeria&nbsp;are&nbsp;set to host South Africa in Group C of the 2026 World Cup qualifier on January 7 at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo.This will be <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-cm/lists/nigeria-coach-finidi-george-ahead-of-super-eagles-crunch-2026-fifa-world-cup-qualifier-against-bafana-bafana-one-cannot-be-scared-in-life/blt343b6ef5b23c67b8" target="_blank">coach Finidi George's first competitive assignment</a> after taking over from Jose Peseiro who helped the team reach the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations final but lost to Ivory Coast.

WHAT HAPPENED?

As expected, goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali is among the players who have been included in the squad.The Chippa United custodian, who has been <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-za/lists/kaizer-chiefs-handed-boost-reported-target-and-nigeria-star-nwabali-hints-he-may-not-move-abroad-there-is-no-point-of-leaving-to-europe/blt8facb99c0f08eff9" target="_blank">linked with a move to Kaizer Chiefs</a>, played a great role in <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-za/lists/nigeria-victor-osimhen-winner-cancelled-out-south-africa-penalty-kelechi-iheanacho-super-eagles-afcon-final/bltb73758f8a8a0cd08" target="_blank">stopping Bafana from reaching the Afcon final</a> and will be keen on repeating his heroics.The team's captain William Troost-Ekong is among the players who have not been included in the team despite recently recovering from an injury.Goalkeeper Maduka Okoye will rival Nwabali for a starting spot as Sadiq Ismael gets his maiden call-up.

WHO IS IN THE SQUAD

Ademola Lookman who scored all the three goals as Atalanta beat Bayer Leverkusen in the Europa League final has been included alongside Napoli's star striker Victor Osimhen.<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">The 23 for WCQ vs South Africa and Benin in June <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/soarsupereagles?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#soarsupereagles</a> <a href="https://t.co/nW2NCZGDfU">pic.twitter.com/nW2NCZGDfU</a>— 🇳🇬 Super Eagles (@NGSuperEagles) <a href="https://twitter.com/NGSuperEagles/status/1794176025397690572?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 25, 2024</a></blockquote>
<script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

NIGERIA'S FULL SQUAD

Nigeria&nbsp;are&nbsp;winless in Group C after managing just two points from as many matches, drawing against Lesotho and Zimbabwe, respectively.&nbsp;South Africa&nbsp;have&nbsp;managed one win - which came against Benin, before falling 2-0 away to Rwanda who&nbsp;lead&nbsp;the race with four points.

THE BIGGER PICTURE

Bafana&nbsp;are&nbsp;aiming at avenging the Afcon loss against an experienced Super Eagles side that is made up of superstars.&nbsp;George is aware that his team cannot afford any more slip-ups if they are to qualify for the prestigious global competition.&nbsp;

WHAT NEXT?

Nwabali heads Nigeria's squad to play South Africa in 2026 Fifa World Cup qualifier! Will Chippa United star deny Bafana Bafana win again? | Goal.com Uganda

Nigeria coach Finidi George names his squad to play Bafana Bafana in the 2026 Fifa World Cup qualifier.