Nigeria vs South Africa: Bafana Bafana Raise Alarm After Spending Night in Nigerian Airport

• Nigeria vs South Africa continues to gather momentum, but Bafana Bafana have endured a tough journey to the West African nation
• After spending 18 hours on the road, the South African team were yet to reach their final destination 48 hours before the match
• The Bafana Bafana squad landed at the Port Harcourt Airport on Wednesday night, as players were spotted resting in the corridors

Bafana Bafana have raised the alarm after spending the night in Port Harcourt International Airport, 48 hours before their crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Nigeria.

Having spent over 18 hours journeying into the West African country, the South African national team have faced a stuttered travel ahead of the massive fixture.

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Information obtained from the squad's X handle showed that the team spent the night in the Rivers State capital barely two days before their clash in Uyo.

A nationwide strike in Nigeria forced the South African party to land in Port Harcourt, but the trip to Uyo was delayed after the airport at the final destination was reportedly closed for the day.

Tired-looking players and officials were spotted seated in the lobby as they prepared to head to the hotel to pass the night. Taking to social media, the national team's account wrote:

"Bafana Bafana have been on the road for 18 hours and still not at base in Nigeria.

"The team is currently at Port Harcourt Airport where they cleared customs, awaiting transfer to the hotel, to spend the night. Uyo airport had closed by the time the team was scheduled to take off."

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The highly anticipated encounter is billed for the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium on Friday, June 7.

Despite the travel ordeal, Iqraam Rayners assured fans back home that South Africa will not lose the game.

He said his side would go all out for victory and fight to at least get a draw, commenting, per Sowetan Live:

"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."

Ndidi speaks on Osimhen's absence

Sports Brief earlier reported that Super Eagles midfielder, Wilfred Ndidi, commented on Victor Osimhen's absence from Nigeria's squad for their World Cup qualifier ties.

He was initially named in the 23-man squad for both games but withdrew from the team after picking up an injury in Napoli's final match of the season in the Italian Serie A.

Ndidi admitted that the Super Eagles squad would miss Osimhen, but the team has others who can deputise in his absence ahead of the big game against Bafana Bafana.