The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has issued a scathing post-match statement criticizing Super Eagles striker Cyriel Dessers for his lackluster performance and faulting captain William Troost-Ekong for a costly own goal, following Tuesday's frustrating 1-1 draw against South Africa in a crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier at the Free State Stadium.
The result, which saw Nigeria trail 1-0 at halftime before Calvin Bassey equalized late in the first half, has severely dented the Super Eagles' qualification hopes.
With only two matches remaining in Group C, Nigeria sits on 11 points, six behind leaders South Africa who have 17, making automatic qualification a steep challenge unless external factors intervene, such as potential sanctions over South Africa's alleged use of an ineligible player.
In a statement released by NFF Director of Communications, Dr. Ademola Olajire, the federation reserved its harshest words for Dessers, who was substituted at halftime.
"Cyriel Dessers, who had an unimpressive game in Uyo where he turned out to be a substitute that was substituted, did not have a better game as he was too slow to latch onto passes, could not win aerial balls and did little in bringing alive the Nigerian attack," the statement read.
Dessers, starting in place of the injured Victor Osimhen, struggled to make an impact, showing his earlier woes in the 2-0 win over Rwanda where he was subbed off after coming on as a replacement.
The NFF also pointed fingers at Troost-Ekong, whose 25th-minute own goal—diverting a Teboho Mokoena cross past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali—gave South Africa the lead and "diminished the Super Eagles’ fighting spirit for a period."
The PAOK defender's error shifted momentum to the Bafana Bafana, who defended stoutly despite Nigeria dominating possession in the second half.
Bassey, playing at left-back, was praised for his "immense fighting spirit and resilience" in heading home Fisayo Dele-Bashiru's pull-back to level the score just before the break.
The federation lamented the team's overall second-half display, noting that despite controlling the game, substitutes including Tolu Arokodare, Samuel Chukwueze, and Chrisantus Uche "delivered little" and squandered late chances.
Early in the match, right-back Ola Aina's injury after just eight minutes forced a reshuffle, with Bright Osayi-Samuel coming on.
South Africa coach Hugo Broos, meanwhile, hailed his team's physicality and fight, declaring them "on course" for World Cup qualification with just one more win needed.
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