2026 WCQ: NFF Blames Two Super Eagles Players For 1-1 Draw With South Africa

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has publicly singled out Cyriel Dessers and team captain William Troost-Ekong after the Super Eagles’ 1-1 draw against South Africa in Tuesday’s 2026 World Cup qualifier.

The Super Eagles came into the game needing all three points to stand a chance of qualifying for the tournament.

But they conceded in the 25th minute, after Troost-Ekong slid the ball into his own net.

However, Nigeria levelled just before the break, thanks to Calvin Bassey’s powerful header.

In a post-match statement from the NFF Director of Communications, Dr Ademola Olajire, Dessers, who was withdrawn at half-time, was hung out to dry.

“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.

Troost-Ekong was also blamed for handing the Bafana Bafana the opening goal.

“The Super Eagles’ fighting spirit was diminished for a period after team captain William Ekong inadvertently swept the ball into his own net in the 25th minute, wrong-footing Stanley Nwabali to give the Bafana the lead and great impetus,” the statement noted.