Pat Stevens/
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has delivered a stinging assessment of the Super Eagles’ performance in their 1-1 draw against South Africa, directly criticising captain William Troost-Ekong and striker Cyriel Dessers, while admitting the result leaves Nigeria’s qualification hopes for the 2026 FIFA World Cup hanging in the balance.
In a statement released after yesterday’s match in Bloemfontein, the NFF praised South Africa’s fast start but said it exposed weaknesses in Nigeria’s defence.
Troost-Ekong’s 25th-minute own goal was described as a blow that “diminished the team’s fighting spirit for a period” and handed the hosts momentum.
Dessers, who started in place of the injured Victor Osimhen, was singled out for being “too slow to latch onto passes,” losing aerial duels and making little attacking impact. The striker, who also came under scrutiny after an ineffective cameo in Uyo, was substituted at halftime.
Nigeria levelled just before halftime when defender Calvin Bassey surged forward and combined with Fisayo Dele-Bashiru before heading past Ronwen Williams.
Despite this lifeline, the NFF concluded that the second half “promised so much but delivered little,” as missed chances from substitutes Tolu Arokodare and Dele-Bashiru left the game tied.
The draw puts the Super Eagles on 11 points from eight games, with their next fixtures against Lesotho and Benin Republic now must-win encounters.
However, their fate is no longer fully in their own hands, with Bafana Bafana in a stronger position to top the group.
0Related posts:
Spitting On Dele Giwa’s Grave; Throwing Gani Under the Bus: The Yakubu Mohammed’s “Revelations”
NFF Crisis: Court Order Not Binding on FIFA
Zenith Bank/NFF Future Eagles Slay Hungary at 2019 FIFA Under-17 World Cup in Brazil
AFCON 2024: Elephants Snatch Victory from Super Eagles
NFF Sacks Rohr, Appoints Eguavoen Interim Super Eagles Coach
AFCON 2019: Buhari Congratulates Super Eagles