South Africa’s coach Hugo Broos has voiced his frustration after his side were held to a 1-1 draw by Nigeria in Bloemfontein during the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, Footynaija.com reports.
The encounter at the Free State Toyota Stadium was tense from the start. Nigeria, missing injured striker Victor Osimhen, went behind after captain William Troost-Ekong put the ball in his own net in the 25th minute.
Just before half-time, Fulham defender Bassey rose highest to meet Bright Osayi-Samuel’s delivery and levelled the score. The Belgian tactician questioned the manner of the goal, insisting it should not have stood.
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Broos argued that the goal should have been chalked off. He claimed the ball struck Bassey’s arm on its way into the net and went on to highlight what he saw as a physical approach from Eric Chelle’s men.
“It was a game like I expected. On my side, the team that wants to play football, on the other side, a team that tried to win the game by power,” Broos said in a report by Legit.ng.
“If we had defended with more aggressiveness, the goal would never have arrived, and secondly, it was a handball.”
Nigerian fans took to social media celebrating the absence of VAR, with many joking that Bassey’s finish resembled Diego Maradona’s “Hand of God” moment.
On the flip side, South African supporters felt robbed of what could have been a decisive victory in their bid to secure top spot in Group C.
For Nigeria, the point keeps them in second place on 11 points, level with Benin and Rwanda but trailing South Africa, who now sit on 17 points.
