The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has criticised Super Eagles striker Cyriel Dessers and faulted captain William Troost-Ekong following Tuesday’s 1-1 draw against South Africa in a crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier in Bloemfontein.
Needing victory to revive their fading qualification hopes, the Eagles endured a difficult evening after defender Ola Aina limped off with an injury in the eighth minute. Matters worsened when skipper Troost-Ekong turned the ball into his own net in the 25th minute to hand Bafana Bafana the lead.
Fulham defender Calvin Bassey restored parity just before half-time with a powerful header from Fisayo Dele-Bashiru’s cross, but despite dominating possession in the second half, Nigeria failed to find a winner.
In a post-match statement released by the NFF Director of Communications, Dr. Ademola Olajire, the federation singled out Dessers, who was withdrawn at the interval, for criticism.
“Cyriel Dessers, who had an unimpressive game in Uyo where he became a substitute that was substituted, did not fare any better in Bloemfontein. He was too slow to latch onto passes, lost aerial battles, and failed to spark Nigeria’s attack,” the statement read.
The federation also faulted Ekong’s own goal for gifting the South Africans early momentum.
“The Super Eagles’ fighting spirit was diminished for a period after captain William Ekong inadvertently swept the ball into his own net in the 25th minute, wrong-footing Stanley Nwabali,” the NFF noted.
While praising Bassey for his resilience and crucial equaliser, the federation expressed disappointment with Nigeria’s second-half display.
“Despite enjoying much of the ball, the team created little. Substitutes Tolu Arokodare and Dele-Bashiru both had late chances but failed to convert,” the statement added.
The result leaves Nigeria with 11 points from eight matches, six adrift of Group C leaders South Africa on 17 points. The Super Eagles must now beat Lesotho and Benin Republic in their final fixtures and hope other results go their way to stand any chance of reaching next year’s finals in North America.
