The FIFA 2026 World Cup qualifiers return this week with Super Eagles vs Bafana Bafana on top of the bill.
The game sees both sides in a position where the quest for maximum points raises the rivalry between both sides to a fever pitch.
It is not a rivalry that Nigerians should be concerned about.
They have gotten the better of the South African side more times than they have lost, but this Super Eagles vs Bafana Bafana game comes with a different complexion.
Speaking of the rivalry between both sides, who have accomplished plenty on the continent, in this piece, we will attempt to draw up an all-time Super Eagles vs Bafana Bafana combined 11.
All-time combined 11: Super Eagles vs Bafana Bafana
Many great players have played for both the Super Eagles and Bafana Bafana, and when both sides clash, the decibel of the rivalry is always ear-splitting.
So, who are the players that make the list of Super Eagles vs Bafana Bafana combined 11?
Vincent Enyeama (Goalkeeper)
The list for the goalkeeper position is rich and competitive. While Bafana Bafana boasts of top goalkeepers like André Arendse, Moneeb Josephs, Itumeleng Khune and Ronwen Williams, the Super Eagles have Peter Rufai, Best Ogendengbe, Emmanuel Okala, Ike Shorunmu and Vincent Enyeama.
No goalkeeper has impacted his generation like Enyeama with catlike reflexes and fantastic saves.
Winning AFCON 2013 was an icing on the cake of an illustrious career. Who can forget his battle with Lionel Messi at the FIFA 2010 World Cup?
In a straight battle between Enyeama and Rufai for the Super Eagles vs Bafana Bafana combined 11, the former Lille goalkeeper nicks it.
Defenders
Uche Okechukwu (Centre-Back)
It was hard picking Uche Okechukwu ahead of other top defenders like Chairman Christian Chukwu, late Stephen Keshi and Mark Fish.
The gentle giant was a pillar in defence for the Super Eagles during his time. He brought calm to the defence and was instrumental in the team's victories.
As a rookie for the Super Eagles, the team finished as runners-up at AFCON 1990. He also won AFCON 1994 and an Olympic gold medal.
Lucas Radebe (Centre-Back)
Lucas Radebe played 11 years for Bafana Bafana and was a rock-solid defender for the team.
Radebe brought calm and leadership to the South African side and made 70 appearances for the team.
Few can question his inclusion in the team as he is one defender strikers dread to play against.
Radebe led Bafana Bafana to their first and only AFCON conquest when they hosted in 1996.
Radebe puts in whatever it takes to stop a striker, including resorting to acrobatics and is one of the best man-marking defenders the continent has produced.
Sizwe Motaung (Right-Back)
The late Sizwe Motaung had a short spell with Bafana Bafana, but it was impactful and saw him write his name in gold.
The right-back makes the Super Eagles vs Bafana Bafana all-time 11 ahead of defenders like Augustine Eguavoen.
Motaung was the preferred right-back for Clive Barker during Bafana Bafana's 1996 AFCON conquest, as he played every game at the tournament.
Motaung played his last game for South Africa in 1997 and died of an AIDS-related illness in 2001.
Ben Iroha (Left-Back)
Benedict Iroha spent eight years with the Super Eagles and won several laurels with the team, including the 1994 AFCON.
Clemens Westerhof unearthed the talent in Iroha, and he debuted in 1990 as the Super Eagles finished runners-up in that year's AFCON.
Iroha marshalled the left-back for the Super Eagles with charisma, combining a solid defensive attribute with an offensive edge.
The highlight of his career was in 1994 when the Super Eagles won AFCON for the second time.
Midfielders
Sunday Oliseh (Defensive Midfield)
One position that the Super Eagles had struggled to fill for many years was the defensive midfield position.
The situation was dire until the arrival of Sunday Oliseh, who combined the ability to defend, man-mark and create from deep.
Few players combined the qualities of Oliseh. He was also a leader with a strong passion for the Super Eagles.
Oliseh was not the most likeable of players, especially by the Nigerian authorities, but his quality was undeniable.
Oliseh won AFCON 1994 and gold at the 1996 Olympics.
Austin Jay-Jay Okocha (Attacking Midfield)
To date, no African midfielder compares to Okocha. Jay-Jay was in a class of his, and he brought plenty of confidence to the team.
Okocha is ranked among the top midfielders in the world and has influenced several players, including Mesut Ozil and Ronaldinho.
Okocha's bag of tricks includes long-range shots, free-kicks and smooth, silky dribbling.
Supremely confident, Okocha has clever trickery with the ball, technique, creativity, flair, close control, and smooth dribbling skills, which made him a nightmare to defenders.
Pundits describe him as one of Africa's best players of all time.
In the Super Eagles vs Bafana Bafana all-time 11, no one comes near Okocha.
Finidi George (Right-Winger)
Finidi George is among the few Nigerian and African players to have enjoyed genuine international acclaim.
From humble beginnings at Sharks of Port Harcourt, he carved a niche for himself and made the right wing his property in the Super Eagles.
However, Finidi had competition from Ndubuisi Okosieme and Mathematical Segun Odegbami. Odegbami is one of Africa's greatest right-wingers.
Finidi's most predominant qualities were pinpoint crosses and passes from the wings. He also possessed powerful shots and scored vital goals for the Super Eagles.
In the Super Eagles vs Bafana Bafana all-time 11, Finidi nails the right-wing position.
Emmanuel Amunike (Left-Winger)
Several players had a look in for this position, including Steven Pienaar, Friday Elahor, Humphrey Edobor and Siphiwe Shabalala, but Emmanuel Amunike edges them.
From his U-23 days to the Super Eagles, Amunike was a phenom and contributed immensely to the Nigerian national team.
The golden moment of the former Barcelona winger was in 1994 when he popped up in the AFCON final to give Nigeria a 2-1 victory over Zambia by scoring two goals.
He also scored in the final of the 1996 Olympics to give Nigeria a 3-2 win over Argentina to secure the gold medal.
Attack
Shaun Bartlett (Forward)
Shaun Bartlett takes this position in the Super Eagles vs Bafana Bafana all-time 11, but not without stiff competition.
Some players we looked at for this position include Daniel Amokachi, Samson Siasia, Benni McCarthy and Siyabonga Nomvethe.
Bartlett made his international debut in 1995 and helped Bafana Bafana win the 1996 AFCON.
In his ten years with the South African national team, Bartlett scored 29 goals in 74 games.
Rashidi Yekini (Forward)
When it comes to longevity, Rashidi Yekini trumps all. If it is goals, he is head and shoulders above his peers.
During his time, Yekini was one of the first names on the list for the Super Eagles. There is a reason he was called goals-king.
Yekini was instrumental in the Super Eagles reaching the AFCON final in 1990 and winning it in 1994.
The late Yekini was also the first Nigerian to score at a FIFA World Cup.
Yekini easily walks into any Super Eagles vs Bafana Bafana combined 11.
This article was most recently revised and updated 4 months ago
