Nigeria vs South Africa head-to-head record

Nigeria wins: 7
Draws: 8
South Africa wins: 2

17 meetings, 1992 to 2025Goals: Nigeria 25, South Africa 12

Nigeria and South Africa have met 17 times since 1992. Nigeria have won 7, South Africa 2, and 8 matches ended level. They last met on 9 September 2025, when the match ended 1–1 in World Cup qualifying.

The 17 meetings have produced 37 goals, 2.18 per game. The biggest win is Nigeria’s 4–0 at the Africa Cup of Nations in 2004. Nigeria are unbeaten in the last five meetings (1 win, 4 draws).

Who has won more, Nigeria or South Africa?

All matches17 matches

7 Nigeria8 drawsSouth Africa 2

Competitive14 matches

6 Nigeria7 drawsSouth Africa 1

Friendlies3 matches

1 Nigeria1 drawSouth Africa 1

Key numbers

Goals: Nigeria 25, South Africa 122.18 per game
First meeting: Nigeria 4–0 South AfricaWorld Cup qualifying, 10 Oct 1992
Most recent: South Africa 1–1 NigeriaWorld Cup qualifying, 9 Sept 2025
Nigeria’s biggest win: Nigeria 4–0 South AfricaAfrica Cup of Nations, 31 Jan 2004
South Africa’s biggest win: Nigeria 0–2 South AfricaAfrica Cup of Nations qualifying, 10 Jun 2017
Most goals in a meeting: Nigeria 2–2 South AfricaAfrica Cup of Nations qualifying, 19 Nov 2014
Current run: Nigeria unbeaten in 5
Biggest upset: Nigeria 0–2 South AfricaAfrica Cup of Nations qualifying, 10 Jun 2017Winner’s rating-based win expectancy: 26%
TFN Elo rating now: Nigeria 1819 (36th), South Africa 1717 (59th)How the rating works

Last five meetings

9 Sept 2025
South Africa1Nigeria1
World Cup qualifying
Bloemfontein, South Africa
7 Jun 2024
Nigeria1South Africa1
World Cup qualifying
Uyo, Nigeria
7 Feb 2024
Nigeria1South Africa1
Africa Cup of Nations, Nigeria won on penalties
Bouaké, Ivory Coast (neutral)
10 Jul 2019
Nigeria2South Africa1
Africa Cup of Nations
Cairo, Egypt (neutral)
17 Nov 2018
South Africa1Nigeria1
Africa Cup of Nations qualifying
Johannesburg, South Africa

Who has had the upper hand over time?

The line climbs with every Nigeria win and drops with every South Africa win, so its height shows who has won more meetings up to that point.

Above the line: Nigeria have won more Below: South Africa have won more

Level

Nigeria lead by 5 wins after the latest meeting. The biggest lead was 5, held by Nigeria from 14 August 2013.

Every meeting on one timeline

Nigeria wins

Draws

South Africa wins

Larger dots mark bigger winning margins. Hover a dot for the result.

Home, away and neutral

In Nigeria's home games

6 matches

321

NigeriaDrawsSouth Africa

In South Africa's home games

8 matches

251

NigeriaDrawsSouth Africa

At neutral venues

3 matches

210

NigeriaDrawsSouth Africa

Record by competition

Record by competition
Competition	Played	Nigeria	Draws	South Africa	Goals
World Cup qualifying	6	3	3	0	9–2
Africa Cup of Nations	4	3	1	0	9–2
Africa Cup of Nations qualifying	4	0	3	1	3–5
Friendly	3	1	1	1	4–3

Meetings by decade

Nigeria wins Draws South Africa wins

Meetings by decade
Decade	Played	Nigeria	Draws	South Africa	Goals
1990s	2	1	1	0	4
2000s	5	4	0	1	12
2010s	7	2	4	1	15
2020s	3	0	3	0	6

Longest runs

Longest runs
Longest run of	Nigeria	South Africa
Wins in a row	32008 to 2013	12017
Unbeaten meetings	62008 to 2015	52014 to 2018

The longest run of draws is 3, from 7 February 2024 to 9 September 2025.

Top scorers in Nigeria vs South Africa

1Ikechukwu UcheNigeria2
2Osaze OdemwingieNigeria2
3Rasheed YekiniNigeria2
4Tijani BabangidaNigeria2
5William Troost-EkongNigeria2(1 penalty)

Scorer records exist for 9 of the 17 meetings, mostly competitive matches. Own goals are not credited to a player.

Penalty shootouts

Nigeria 1–1 South AfricaAfrica Cup of Nations, 7 Feb 2024Nigeria won on penalties

Questions answered

How many times have Nigeria and South Africa played each other?

17 times, starting on 10 October 1992. 14 of those meetings were competitive and 3 were friendlies.

Who has won more matches between Nigeria and South Africa?

Nigeria, with 7 wins to 2. 8 matches ended level.

What is the biggest win in Nigeria vs South Africa?

Nigeria’s 4–0 win at the Africa Cup of Nations on 31 January 2004 in Monastir.

When did Nigeria and South Africa last play?

On 9 September 2025 in Bloemfontein, when the match ended 1–1 in World Cup qualifying.

What is the competitive record between Nigeria and South Africa?

In 14 competitive matches, Nigeria have 6 wins, South Africa have 1, and 7 ended level.

Have Nigeria and South Africa met in a penalty shootout?

Yes, once. Most recently at the Africa Cup of Nations on 7 February 2024, when Nigeria won the shootout after a 1–1 draw.

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Every Nigeria vs South Africa result

All 17 Competitive 14 Friendlies 3

Every Nigeria vs South Africa result
Date	Home	Score	Away	Competition	Venue
9 Sept 2025	South Africa	1–1	Nigeria	World Cup qualifying	Bloemfontein, South Africa
7 Jun 2024	Nigeria	1–1	South Africa	World Cup qualifying	Uyo, Nigeria
7 Feb 2024	Nigeria	1–1Nigeria on pens	South Africa	Africa Cup of Nations	Bouaké, Ivory Coast (neutral)
10 Jul 2019	Nigeria	2–1	South Africa	Africa Cup of Nations	Cairo, Egypt (neutral)
17 Nov 2018	South Africa	1–1	Nigeria	Africa Cup of Nations qualifying	Johannesburg, South Africa
10 Jun 2017	Nigeria	0–2	South Africa	Africa Cup of Nations qualifying	Uyo, Nigeria
29 Mar 2015	South Africa	1–1	Nigeria	Friendly	Nelspruit, South Africa
19 Nov 2014	Nigeria	2–2	South Africa	Africa Cup of Nations qualifying	Uyo, Nigeria
10 Sept 2014	South Africa	0–0	Nigeria	Africa Cup of Nations qualifying	Cape Town, South Africa
14 Aug 2013	South Africa	0–2	Nigeria	Friendly	Durban, South Africa
6 Sept 2008	South Africa	0–1	Nigeria	World Cup qualifying	Port Elizabeth, South Africa
1 Jun 2008	Nigeria	2–0	South Africa	World Cup qualifying	Abuja, Nigeria
17 Nov 2004	South Africa	2–1	Nigeria	Friendly	Johannesburg, South Africa
31 Jan 2004	Nigeria	4–0	South Africa	Africa Cup of Nations	Monastir, Tunisia (neutral)
10 Feb 2000	Nigeria	2–0	South Africa	Africa Cup of Nations	Lagos, Nigeria
16 Jan 1993	South Africa	0–0	Nigeria	World Cup qualifying	Johannesburg, South Africa
10 Oct 1992	Nigeria	4–0	South Africa	World Cup qualifying	Lagos, Nigeria