{"id":27755,"date":"2025-09-08T14:15:59","date_gmt":"2025-09-08T12:15:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/?p=27755"},"modified":"2026-03-12T09:53:34","modified_gmt":"2026-03-12T07:53:34","slug":"lyle-foster-backs-bafana-bafana-to-shine-in-nigeria-showdown","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/lyle-foster-backs-bafana-bafana-to-shine-in-nigeria-showdown\/","title":{"rendered":"Lyle Foster backs Bafana Bafana in crucial Nigeria showdown"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Bafana Bafana striker <strong>Lyle Foster<\/strong> says South Africa remain in control as they prepare for a high-stakes World Cup qualifier against <strong>Nigeria<\/strong> on Tuesday night at the Free State Stadium.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Despite the importance of the game, Foster insists the team feels calm. Speaking to SAFA media, the Burnley forward explained that Bafana should keep their focus on consistency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>\u201cI don\u2019t think there\u2019s pressure on us. At the moment we are where we are in the group and that\u2019s a positive,\u201d Foster said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThe pressure is on the guys chasing us. That doesn\u2019t mean we relax. We must keep our mentality strong, stay humble, and take it game by game.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-tiktok wp-block-embed-tiktok\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<blockquote class=\"tiktok-embed\" cite=\"https:\/\/www.tiktok.com\/@supersportofficial\/video\/7547628552146062610\" data-video-id=\"7547628552146062610\" data-embed-from=\"oembed\" style=\"max-width:605px; min-width:325px;\"> <section> <a target=\"_blank\" title=\"@supersportofficial\" href=\"https:\/\/www.tiktok.com\/@supersportofficial?refer=embed\" rel=\"noopener\">@supersportofficial<\/a> <p>Lyle Foster says Bafana are only focused on themselves and getting maximum points from their remaining matches. <a title=\"sportsontiktok\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.tiktok.com\/tag\/sportsontiktok?refer=embed\" rel=\"noopener\">#sportsontiktok<\/a> <a title=\"bafanabafana\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.tiktok.com\/tag\/bafanabafana?refer=embed\" rel=\"noopener\">#bafanabafana<\/a> <a title=\"southafrica\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.tiktok.com\/tag\/southafrica?refer=embed\" rel=\"noopener\">#SouthAfrica<\/a> <a title=\"nigeria\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.tiktok.com\/tag\/nigeria?refer=embed\" rel=\"noopener\">#Nigeria<\/a> <a title=\"fifaworldcup\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.tiktok.com\/tag\/fifaworldcup?refer=embed\" rel=\"noopener\">#fifaworldcup<\/a> <\/p> <a target=\"_blank\" title=\"\u266c original sound - SuperSportTV\" href=\"https:\/\/www.tiktok.com\/music\/original-sound-7547628652515592961?refer=embed\" rel=\"noopener\">\u266c original sound &#8211; SuperSportTV<\/a> <\/section> <\/blockquote> <script async src=\"https:\/\/www.tiktok.com\/embed.js\"><\/script>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-bafana-bafana-show-strong-form\">Bafana Bafana show strong form<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>South Africa enter this clash after a convincing 3-0 win over Lesotho on Friday at the same venue. That result boosted their confidence and kept them top of Group C with 16 points from seven matches.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Coach Hugo Broos wants his players to build on that momentum. The Bloemfontein crowd is also expected to give them strong support once again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"gaute-2197003911\" class=\"gaute-inbetween-content gaute-entity-placement\" style=\"margin-top: 30px;margin-bottom: 30px;margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;text-align: center;\"><div class=\"gaute-adlabel\">Advertisement<\/div><script async src=\"\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-1852772760112594\" crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script><ins class=\"adsbygoogle\" style=\"display:block;\" data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-1852772760112594\" \ndata-ad-slot=\"1819787043\" \ndata-ad-format=\"auto\" data-full-width-responsive=\"true\"><\/ins>\n<script> \n(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); \n<\/script>\n<\/div><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-nigeria-weakened-without-osimhen\">Nigeria weakened without Osimhen<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Nigeria also arrive with confidence after a narrow 1-0 win over Rwanda in Uyo. Yet their preparations took a hit when striker <strong>Victor Osimhen<\/strong> suffered an injury and was ruled out of the trip.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Without their Napoli star, the Super Eagles will look to Kelechi Iheanacho and others to carry the attack. The visitors know they need points to stay alive in the group.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-what-s-on-the-line\">What\u2019s on the line<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The stakes could not be higher:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>South Africa<\/strong>: Top with 16 points.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Nigeria<\/strong>: Third with 10 points.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Impact<\/strong>: A Bafana win would strengthen their grip and move them closer to World Cup qualification.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>This clash is more than a contest between two African heavyweights. It is also a test of composure, discipline, and ambition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"gaute-177335624\" class=\"gaute-inbetween-content gaute-entity-placement\" style=\"margin-top: 30px;margin-bottom: 30px;margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;text-align: center;\"><div class=\"gaute-adlabel\">Advertisement<\/div><script async src=\"\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-1852772760112594\" crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script><ins class=\"adsbygoogle\" style=\"display:block;\" data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-1852772760112594\" \ndata-ad-slot=\"1819787043\" \ndata-ad-format=\"auto\" data-full-width-responsive=\"true\"><\/ins>\n<script> \n(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); \n<\/script>\n<\/div><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-foster-s-rising-influence\">Foster\u2019s rising influence<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Foster has grown into a key player for Bafana. He offers strength, creativity, and leadership in the final third. His ability to hold the ball and involve teammates will be vital against Nigeria\u2019s defence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>South Africa remain unbeaten in their last five games. With Foster up front, fans believe this team has the quality to deliver another big result.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>\u201cThe most important thing is to push forward and seal it,\u201d Foster added.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-when-and-how-to-watch\">When and How to Watch<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The much-anticipated clash kicks off on <strong>Tuesday, 9 September 2025, at 6:00 p.m. (SAST)<\/strong> at the Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Kick-off times<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>South Africa:<\/strong> 6:00 p.m. (SAST)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Nigeria:<\/strong> 5:00 p.m. (WAT)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Where to watch in South Africa<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>SuperSport (DStv):<\/strong> Live on SuperSport Football channels for DStv Compact and above.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>SABC Sport:<\/strong> Free-to-air on DTT, OpenView, and via the SABC Plus app.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Check also: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/five-bafana-bafana-players-who-could-seal-world-cup-dream\/\">Five Bafana Bafana players who could seal World Cup dream<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Bloemfontein will witness another chapter in this fierce rivalry. For <a href=\"https:\/\/www.safa.net\/bafana-bafana\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Bafana Bafana<\/a>, victory would put them on the brink of a World Cup return. For Nigeria, defeat could end their hopes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Do you think Foster and Broos\u2019 men will rise to the challenge and take another step toward the 2026 FIFA World Cup?<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Bafana Bafana striker Lyle Foster insists the pressure is on Nigeria ahead of their 2026 World Cup qualifier clash in Bloemfontein.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":12,"featured_media":27772,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"rank_math_focus_keyword":"","rank_math_title":"","rank_math_description":"Bafana Bafana striker Lyle Foster insists the pressure is on Nigeria ahead of their 2026 World Cup qualifier clash in Bloemfontein.","footnotes":""},"categories":[59,56,64],"tags":[286,11118,11108],"class_list":{"0":"post-27755","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-soccer","8":"category-sports","9":"category-sports-news","10":"tag-bafana-bafana","11":"tag-latest-football-news","12":"tag-latest-sports-news"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27755","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/12"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=27755"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27755\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":27773,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27755\/revisions\/27773"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/27772"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=27755"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=27755"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=27755"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}