“All the best” – South Africa FA boss picks favourite team between Nigeria and DR Congo

South African Football Association (SAFA) President Danny Jordaan has extended his warmest wishes to Nigeria ahead of Sunday’s African World Cup qualifying play-off final against DR Congo in Rabat, Morocco, Soccernet.ng reports.

The heavyweight showdown at the Complexe Sportif Prince Moulay Abdellah will decide Africa’s representative in the inter-confederation playoff for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Nigeria sealed their place in the final with a 4–1 extra-time victory over Gabon, a performance that steadied the mood after an inconsistent qualifying run.

DR Congo, equally determined, booked their own ticket after navigating a bruising semi-final clash with Cameroon.

Jordaan, whose South Africa pipped Nigeria to the automatic World Cup ticket from Group C, struck a generous and diplomatic tone as he wished his former group rivals success.

What did the South Africa FA boss say?

“Nigeria was in our group, and it was a very tight and stressful battle to the end. I want to wish Nigeria all the best for their match against DR Congo,” Jordaan said in a video posted on SAFA’s X handle.

Nigeria will face DR Congo in the CAF FIFA World Cup play-offs on Sunday in Morocco and SAFA President Dr Danny Jordaan says the Super Eagles have what it takes to do well after they defeated Gabon 4-1 to reach the final. The battle is for a spot in the intercontinental World Cup… pic.twitter.com/I76OVNh06B

— SAFA.net (@SAFA_net) November 14, 2025

The South African football administrator added a personal note to two familiar counterparts:

“To my friend Pinnick (Amaju, former NFF boss), and to the President of the Nigeria Football Federation, Ibrahim Gusau, I wish you all the best. Nigeria is a big team with players among the best in the world, and I hope they play to their true form and get the result.”

Get Our Sports News First – Join Our WhatsApp Channel Now!

Nigeria: Troost-Ekong on nerves, leadership and the reality of watching from the bench

As the Super Eagles prepare for a defining test, team captain William Troost-Ekong has lifted the lid on the emotional strain of watching big matches from the sidelines.

The Al-Kholood captain was a late substitute in the win over Gabon as youngster Benjamin Fredrick was the preferred centre-back partner for Calvin Bassey in the starting lineup.

The 32-year-old centre-back, a mainstay of the national team for nearly a decade, admitted that being unable to influence play directly makes him more anxious on the bench.

“It's slightly different. I think I am probably more nervous when I am on the bench because you don't feel like you can affect something. I can imagine if you are sitting in the stands, it's even more than that,” he said at Saturday’s press conference.

But Troost-Ekong’s focus extends beyond personal frustrations. The defender emphasised that leadership, particularly in a squad transitioning under a relatively new technical crew, is not restricted to minutes on the pitch.

“I try to contribute and give my best. I feel that's all I can do and I'm always ready for the opportunity to get on the pitch,” he said. “I also know players are looking at me and seeing how I behave. You have to be a leader from the side.”

The captain explained that his influence now includes vocal support, tactical reminders, and helping younger players navigate big-game pressures.

“There are some other things I know that I can share and I feel like if I can't do that I'll be missing the opportunity to make the team better,” he added.

Troost-Ekong also highlighted the growing importance of impact substitutes, citing recent examples.

“We've seen it now consistently, even in the last games against Benin, Frank coming on and scoring the winner, Ejuke making the difference,” he said. “It's not always the same players, you need more than 11, and that's part of the unity of our group.”

Nigeria’s history provides extra motivation as well. Sunday’s clash is only the second competitive meeting between the Super Eagles and the Leopards. Nigeria won the first 2-0 at the 1994 Africa Cup of Nations quarterfinals.