Nigeria have remained without a victory following their 1-1 draw with South Africa – a result which leaves Lesotho top of Group C after the minnows registered an upset over Zimbabwe earlier on Friday.
Nigeria and South Africa met again in Uyo, just four months on from their semi-final clash at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, where the Super Eagles progressed to the final on penalties.
Since then Finidi George has taken charge of the West Africans, but pressure was on the hosts in Uyo before kick-off having only taken two points from their first two qualifiers.
South Africa’s Themba Zwane had already clipped the top of the bar with a free-kick when the winger showed quick feet and composure to dance past both centre-backs and fire into the bottom right-hand corner in the 29th minute.
However, Nigeria equalised just 36 seconds into the second half when Fisayo Dele-Bashiru powered in a low strike.
Percy Tau spurned a glorious chance to restore Bafana Bafana’s lead and moments later Samuel Chukwueze hit the bar for Nigeria, while visiting goalkeeper Ronwen Williams denied Super Eagles forward Ademola Lookman in injury time.
Group C is wide open after first-half goals from Rethabile Rasethuntsa and Jane Thabantso gave Lesotho, ranked 149th in the world, a 2-0 win away against Zimbabwe in a tie played in neutral Johannesburg.
Nigeria, two points adrift in fifth place, will now hope to register their first win away against Benin on Monday.
Meanwhile, Hakim Ziyech’s early penalty set Morocco on their way to a 2-1 win over Zambia in African qualifying for the 2026 World Cup, while Ivory Coast also extended their perfect start by seeing off Gabon 1-0.
Seko Fofana’s curling strike nine minutes before the break put the Elephants three points clear at the top of Group F in what was the West Africans’ first competitive outing since being crowned continental champions in February.
Madagascar, Mozambique and Uganda all recorded victories to move level on points at the summit of their respective groups.
The third round of matches finishes with two games on Saturday, with the fourth set of fixtures taking place on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday.
Each of the nine African qualifying group winners are guaranteed a place at the 2026 World Cup finals, and the four best-placed runners-up will play off for a spot at an intercontinental tournament where the final two berths in the United States, Mexico and Canada will be decided.
Morocco became the first African side to reach the World Cup semi-finals at Qatar 2022, although the North Africans were made to sweat late on by Zambia.
Hakim Ziyech, set to return to Chelsea following a loan spell at Galatasaray, had enough pace on his sixth-minute penalty to beat Chipolopolo keeper Lawrence Mulenga after Stoppila Sunzu brought down Youssef En Nesyri.
Eliesse Ben Seghir made it 2-0 to the Atlas Lions midway through the second half in Agadir when he converted Brahim Diaz’s cutback.
But Edward Chilufwa pulled one back with 10 minutes left when his superb low finish crept inside the right-hand post, and Sunzu headed over in the last minute of injury time.
Morocco were only playing their second match after Eritrea withdrew last November on the eve of the qualifiers beginning, and are three points clear at the top of Group E.
