Nigeria, Sept. 10 -- Nigeria's 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification hopes suffered a major blow on Tuesday evening as the Super Eagles battled to a 1-1 draw against South Africa's Bafana Bafana in Bloemfontein.

The result leaves Nigeria's chances of securing an automatic ticket virtually impossible, with just two games left to play.

Without injured star Victor Osimhen, the Super Eagles started nervously and suffered an early setback when Ola Aina limped off in the 7th minute.

South Africa capitalised midway through the first half as captain William Troost-Ekong turned Mohau Nkota's cross into his own net.

Nigeria responded just before halftime through Calvin Bassey, who powered home a superb header from Tom Dele-Bashiru's delivery.

Desp...