World Cup Qualifer: Wilfred Ndidi expects South Africa revenge approach vs Nigeria

By Wale Mustapha

Nigerian midfielder Wilfred Ndidi believes that South Africa will approach the encounter against the Super Eagles on Friday as a revenge mission.

Nigeria defeated South Africa 4-2 on penalties, thereby halting their dreams of reaching the 2023 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournament earlier in the year.

Ndidi, who missed the AFCON tournament due to injury, states that Bafana Bafana will be desperate to avenge that loss when they meet on Friday in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.

“Looking back to what we did at the AFCON, they (South Africa) will be coming for revenge, and for us as a team, we’re expecting that because we know it’s not going to be an easy game,” Ndidi told the Super Eagles media.

“When they look back and remember that we knocked them out of the final, they will come for us. So it is going to be an interesting game. The way we performed at the AFCON has raised the standard and the expectations are now really high.”

The Leicester City midfielder also called on soccer-loving Nigerians to come out en-masse and support the team on Friday.

“I think we just need the support of the fans. We also have to do our best because we know how important the two games are, but first and foremost, we have to focus on the South African game.”