South Africa head coach Hugo Broos has praised his team for standing up to the Super Eagles in a thrilling 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying match.
Bafana Bafana and Nigeria played to a 1-1 draw at the Toyota Stadium, Bloemfontein, in matchday eight of the qualifiers, showing intensity and resilience throughout.
Troost-Ekong Own Goal Gives South Africa the Lead
South Africa took the lead in the 25th minute after Nigeria captain William Troost-Ekong accidentally bundled the ball into his own net. The early goal energized the home side and set the tone for a physical battle.
Super Eagles Respond Before Half-Time
Nigeria fought back before half-time, with Calvin Bassey heading home a precise cross from Fisayo Dele-Bashiru to level the score. The equalizer gave the Super Eagles momentum heading into the second half.
Second Half: Bafana Holds Firm
Despite Nigeria dominating possession and searching for a winner, South Africa’s disciplined defense stood strong. Bafana Bafana successfully neutralized Nigeria’s attacking threat, earning praise from coach Hugo Broos.
Broos Hails His Players’ Physicality
After the match, Broos highlighted his team’s resilience and ability to match Nigeria’s physicality:
“It was a match like I expected, a physical match much harder from the opponent. It’s only in the second half when they tried to win the game with power football, but we did a very good game also,” the Belgian coach said.
Key Takeaways
- South Africa held Nigeria to a 1-1 draw in a high-stakes World Cup qualifier.
- Hugo Broos praised Bafana Bafana’s physical performance.
- Nigeria dominated possession but could not break the South African defense.
