South Africa, Nigeria's opponents in Friday's (today's) 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier, were fast to recover from their travel ordeal and get back to work before their match at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo.

The South African group arrived in Uyo on Thursday morning, and according to their account, their travel to Nigeria was beset with delays, forcing the team to spend the night in a Port Harcourt hotel.


The squad took a chartered flight out of South Africa on Wednesday morning, hoping to arrive at their Uyo camp by 5 p.m. the same day.

They said that they had been on the road for 18 hours but were unable to reach the match venue, Uyo. They arrived in Nigeria via Port Harcourt airport, where they had their immigration clearance. They could not fly directly to Uyo, which has a local airport.

However, by the time the guests finished their immigration procedures in Port Harcourt, the Uyo airport was reportedly closed.


Hugo Broos' team had a positive vibe at the stadium on Thursday evening after settling down.

"The training is complete! All eyes are on the game tomorrow (today)! #BafanaPride #WCQualifiers," the team wrote on X following their session.

South Africa leads Nigeria in qualifying Group C by three points, giving them some confidence going up against the Eagles.

However, by the time the guests finished their immigration procedures in Port Harcourt, the Uyo airport was reportedly closed.


Hugo Broos' team had a positive vibe at the stadium on Thursday evening after settling down.

"The training is complete! All eyes are on the game tomorrow (today)! #BafanaPride #WCQualifiers," the team wrote on X following their session.

South Africa leads Nigeria in qualifying Group C by three points, giving them some confidence going up against the Eagles  on Wednesday morning by 8am and land in Lagos to undergo immigration formalities before proceeding to Uyo.

The team, however, encountered a delay before to their departure from South Africa.


"The issue has nothing to do with the NFF. It took them five hours to leave South Africa after they announced they were taking off. We weren't informed. We informed officials from the Nigeria Immigration Service and other pertinent agencies in Lagos to expedite the formalities for them.

"They contacted us less than two hours before arrival to inform us that the landing rights they received were for Port Harcourt International Airport rather than the MMA in Lagos. We had to rapidly contact NMS authorities and other agencies in Port Harcourt and mobilize people to guarantee that the processes went smoothly for them. After completing all immigration processes, they attempted to depart for Uyo but were advised that the Obong Victor Attah Airport only works from daybreak to dusk, making this impossible. The NFF promptly gathered resources to ensure they could spend the night pleasantly in Port Harcourt."