Boluwatife Kehinde
Nigeria’s hopes of securing a place at the 2026 FIFA World Cup suffered a major setback on Tuesday evening after the Super Eagles were held to a frustrating 1-1 draw by South Africa’s Bafana Bafana in Bloemfontein.
Head coach Eric Chelle refused to criticise his players after the result, instead praising their resilience in what he described as a difficult away tie.
“We tried, the players gave everything to win,” Chelle said after the match. “It’s difficult to come here and expect victory because this team is very good. Their wingers are fast, and the striker holds the ball well. For just 10 seconds, we lost our shape, and they punished us. But after that, we came back, and the mindset of the players was clear — to fight and score.”
Fulham defender Calvin Bassey had given Nigeria a lifeline with his equaliser, but the team could not find the decisive second goal. The result leaves the Super Eagles in a precarious position, with automatic qualification looking increasingly out of reach and only two fixtures left to play.
Chelle praises Eagles’ professionalism
Chelle, however, insists his team must remain professional and focused on the task ahead.
“We are professionals. There are still two games, and for sure these players want to win both,” the 47-year-old noted. “It’s difficult for us because we wanted three points tonight, and I think we did everything to achieve it. But in football, a lot can change in one month — points, form, everything. We will analyse this game again and prepare for the final two matches.”
For Nigeria, the draw felt more like a loss. The effort and determination were visible, but commitment alone could not be converted into three points. With the clock ticking on qualification, the Super Eagles face a steep climb if they are to reach the World Cup in North America.
