The Super Eagles’ hopes of making the 2026 FIFA World Cup remain on shaky ground after being held to a 1-1 draw by South Africa in Bloemfontein, with striker Cyriel Dessers coming under heavy criticism for his display, Footynaija.com reports.
Dessers, who plays as a forward for Panathinaikos in Greece, struggled to make an impact in the game. The 30-year-old was handed a start in the absence of Victor Osimhen but failed to seize the moment, as Nigeria looked blunt in attack for large spells of the contest.
The Nigeria Football Federation did not spare the striker in their post-match report, stressing that “Dessers… was too slow to latch onto passes, could not win aerial balls and did little in bringing alive the Nigerian attack.”
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The Super Eagles fell behind when captain William Troost-Ekong scored an own goal in the 25th minute, wrong-footing Stanley Nwabali. Defender Calvin Bassey restored parity just before the break, heading home after linking up with Fisayo Dele-Bashiru.
Nigeria had opportunities to win the game in the second half, with substitute Tolu Arokodare going close, but the finishing touch was missing. The match ended in a stalemate, leaving the Super Eagles with 11 points from eight games in Group C.
The result means South Africa stay six points clear at the top with two games to play, while Nigeria now face a must-win clash against Lesotho on 10 October at the same Free State Stadium. Eric Chelle’s side must then battle Benin a week later to keep alive hopes of reaching the finals in North America.
Dessers, capped about 8 times for Nigeria, will be under pressure to respond if given further opportunities.
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