Bafana Bafana are confident that they can secure points on Friday evening when they face Nigeria away in the first round of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.

Playing the Super Eagles in Nigeria will be a difficult challenge and to force a draw or secure a win adds to the pressure.

If they manage a draw on Friday, there will be less pressure for the game against Zimbabwe on Tuesday in Bloemfontein.

The Stellenbosch FC striker, Iqraam Rayners, who started his career as centre-back for Santos in the NFD, said it’s all about the right attitude and in football anything can happen on the day.

“It's not easy to play at this level compared to the PSL,” said Rayners.

“This is international level, so this a great opportunity for me to test myself against the best on the continent, especially against the players of Nigeria who play for big clubs in Europe.

“If we can’t win, we must at least get a point in Nigeria. Like the coach said, he wants four points from these two games but we will try to get six points.

“This is football and anything can happen, we might steal the game in the last minutes in Nigeria.”

Friday night’s game between Nigeria and South Africa in Uyo kicks off at 21:00.

Morgan Piek OFM Sport