2026 WCQ: Nigeria Faces Travel Hurdles as South African Authorities Withhold Landing Clearance

2026 WCQ: Nigeria Faces Travel Hurdles as South African Authorities Withhold Landing Clearance

By Niyi Busari 

Tensions are rising ahead of Tuesday’s highly anticipated 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying clash between South Africa and Nigeria, as the Nigerian delegation has been denied landing clearance by South African aviation authorities, BSNSports.com.ng reports.

The Nigerian team, scheduled to depart for South Africa on Sunday morning, now faces potential delays just two days before their crucial Group C match-day 8 fixture against Bafana Bafana at Toyota Stadium.

Sources within the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) confirmed that repeated efforts to obtain landing approval for the charter flight carrying players, officials, and support staff have been unsuccessful. Attempts to engage South African aviation officials and diplomatic channels have so far yielded no positive results. The South African authorities didn't state any reason for the delay in granting the landing permit for the aircraft that conveyed the Nigeria delegation.

Further complicating matters, the South African embassy in Nigeria last week reportedly declined entry visa applications for several members of the Nigerian delegation, including members of the supporters’ club.

Additionally, reports suggest that an earlier arrangement to secure a landing permit for a larger delegation was also denied, casting uncertainty over Nigeria’s final travel logistics.

This latest development has raised concerns over fair play and sportsmanship, given the high stakes of the upcoming match. South Africa currently top Group C with 16 points, followed by Benin Republic with 11, while Nigeria’s 1-0 victory over Rwanda on Saturday moved them into third place on 10 points.

The match is scheduled for Tuesday, September 9, with kick-off set for 16:00 GMT at Toyota Stadium.

Officials from both federations and FIFA are yet to comment publicly on the situation.