Touchline spat, injury setbacks and key talking points from Nigeria draw vs South Africa

By Wale Mustapha

Nigeria’s Super Eagles were held to a 1-1 draw by South Africa’s Bafana Bafana in their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier on Tuesday at the Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein.

The hosts went ahead after an own goal by captain William Troost-Ekong, before Calvin Bassey powered home a header in first-half stoppage time to rescue a point for Nigeria.

While the result keeps the Super Eagles’ qualification hopes in jeopardy, the game produced plenty of drama on and off the pitch. Here are five major talking points:

1. Eric Chelle’s surprising line-up and formation

With Victor Osimhen sidelined by injury, many expected Tolu Arokodare to spearhead the attack. Instead, coach Eric Chelle opted for Cyriel Dessers, a decision that left Nigeria’s frontline looking blunt and ineffective. The team only gained attacking bite after Arokodare replaced the Panathinaikos forward.

2. Touchline spat between Broos and Chelle

Tensions flared on the sidelines after Super Eagles coach Eric Chelle accused South Africa of time-wasting, particularly over Teboho Mokoena’s prolonged treatment. His opposite number, Hugo Broos, reacted furiously, clashing with the Nigerian bench and demanding punishment for Bassey after a rough challenge.

3. Injuries disrupt Nigeria’s rhythm

Nigeria started brightly but were forced into early changes when Ola Aina went off injured in the 20th minute, replaced by Bright Osayi-Samuel. The second half brought further disruption as Wilfred Ndidi also limped off, undermining the team’s structure and dominance.

4. Poor pitch conditions in Bloemfontein

The uneven surface of the Free State Stadium proved a major obstacle, preventing both sides from stringing together fluid passages of play. The poor state of the pitch limited scoring chances and frustrated players and fans alike.

5. Controversial officiating

Match referee Pierre Ghislain Atcho of Gabon came under fire for several contentious calls. Nigerian players were visibly frustrated, feeling some key decisions went against them in such a decisive fixture.

Nigeria remain third in Group C and now face a must-win scenario in their remaining fixtures to keep their dream of reaching the 2026 FIFA World Cup alive.

Samuel Ahmadu

Samuel Ahmadu is a distinguished multimedia journalist and women's football expert with over 15 years of experience in the industry. On the back of domestic engagement since 2008, he began his international career journey at Goal.com in February 2014, where he served as an African women's football correspondent for nearly eight years. During his tenure at Goal.com, Samuel covered major events such as three Women's Africa Cup of Nations (2016, 2018, 2022) and the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup in Canada plus 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. His work at Goal.com earned him widespread acclaim, particularly for his in-depth profiles of African football stars, notably Asisat Oshoala, whose rise he documented from her early years to her breakthrough at the FIFA U20 Women's World Cup in 2014. Prior to his role at Goal.com, Samuel freelanced for various print and broadcast media outlets in Nigeria, including Graphics Newspaper, Radio Nigeria, Grace FM, and Savid Newspaper. His extensive experience and expertise led to his appointment to the Nigeria Football Federation's Standing Committee on Women's Football Development from 2016 to 2018. Since February 2018, Samuel has been the Social Media Manager for Nigeria's women's national teams.In 2019, Samuel joined the Confederation of African Football (CAF) as a women's football content contributor and was promoted to Women's Football Editor in 2021. His contributions to women's football continued as he worked as a Media Consultant for Content Creation and Editorials at the 2022 CAF Women's Champions League. Currently, Samuel also serves as the spokesman for the Nigeria Women Football League, further solidifying his influence and dedication to the growth of women's football in Africa.

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