Precious Josiah
The Super Eagles of Nigeria on Tuesday picked a point from the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying tie with the Bafana Bafana of South Africa at Bleomfontain with the game ending 1-1 draw at full time.
Eagles’ qualification for the World Cup has been made harder by FIFA’s refusal to Sanction South Africa over their use of an ineligible player in their match against Lesotho.
However the draw on Tuesday takes the South African side to 17 points on top of the group while the Super Eagles lag behind with 11 points.
The south African team started the game with a very intense and personal kick. Their pressing led to the super Eagles conceding an own goal by Troost Ekong, the super Eagles captain in the 24th minute.
The Super Eagles right back,Ola Aina was forced off the game due to hamstring injury, Bright Osayi Samuel was there to take his place and he did well.
Once the Super Eagles conceded an own goal, they launched an intense offensive against the Bafana Bafana aide.
Calvin Bassey pushed the lead , which was later crossed into the 18 yard box of the south Africans by Dele Bashiru, luckily Bassey was in the right spot to convert it with an header on goal.
The goal scored by by the Fulham player raised eyebrows and controversies but due to the unavailability of VAR in the match the goal stood.
Eric Chelle’s substitutions and tactics came to question as he keeps playing two left wingers together (Ademola lookman and Moses Simon) hence over loading the left wing and making the right wing tedious for the right.
Same tactics he used when the super Eagles faced Rwanda at Uyo.
Skeptics believe that since coaching is a vital aspect in winning games and if the Super Eagles must thrive, then capable hands must hold the wheel.
Nigeria sits in the third position in group C, the chances of qualifying for the World Cup is still uncertain, but there’s always a way the super Eagles must now win upcoming matches to qualify.
South Africa have been handed a significant boost in their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification campaign after FIFA opted not to sanction them for fielding an ineligible player during their Match Day 5 qualifier against Lesotho.
The ruling, confirmed just hours before South Africa’s high-stakes qualifier against Nigeria in Bloemfontein, means that Bafana Bafana remains in contention to secure a place at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
FIFA, in a x platform post on Tuesday clarified that should South Africa defeat Nigeria and Benin fail to beat Lesotho in their respective matches, Hugo Broos’ side will book their ticket to the global showpiece.
This decision comes as a relief for the South African Football Association (SAFA), as it effectively overlooks what would normally be a punishable offense under FIFA regulations.
In similar past instances, teams fielding ineligible players have faced penalties including match forfeitures, points deductions, and financial fines.