Eric Chelle, head coach of the Super Eagles, has shared his thoughts on the heated touchline confrontation with South Africa’s Hugo Broos during the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier.
Touchline Tussle at Free State Stadium
Chelle and Broos clashed on the sidelines after tensions boiled over between both benches in Bloemfontein. The match officials were forced to intervene as the two coaches exchanged words.
Speaking after the 1-1 draw, Chelle explained that such incidents are part of the game and reflect the passion both teams bring to the contest.
Chelle’s Reaction
“There is tension. You can say something badly and sometimes you’ve to fight, not a real fight, but you need to manage it,” Chelle told reporters.
“Sometimes it is difficult because of the pressure. This is normal when both benches want to win. You know every decision of the referee, one of the benches isn’t agreeing with it. This is football.”
What It Means
The encounter highlighted the high stakes of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, with both Nigeria and South Africa battling for a place at the global tournament.
