African Football Discussion Thread Current Topic: 👉 AFCON 2025/2026

[Alonso_]

The pitch looks like it was deliberately selected so that Nigeria could not be able to perform well as we all know that Bloemfontein is not a place that the Super Eagles are familiar with. Out of the 13 times these two have met, it's only once that South Africa has won and would be looking to upset the balance.
What I noticed in this game really got me angry because it seemed like Nigeria didn't understand what was at stake in this game. Often making mistakes to the point that the first goal for SA came as a result of a mistake from  William Troost Ekong thanks to the fact that they kept mounting pressure on the Nigerians.
 Even though they are at a stalemate at halftime, what would determine that Nigeria takes all three points is if they add the fire that they started coming out with towards the latter ends of the half.

There are rumours that the South African Football Association decided to move the game to Toyota Stadium in Bloemfontein because they wanted the Nigerian supporters to be few. Bloemfontein has a low population of Nigerians, so they wanted the Super Eagles fan base to be small. But I don't think it's a valid reason because Nigerians can easily travel to the area.

The pitch was so bad that it was difficult to pass the ball without diversions.  I suspect that the South African players trained on that pitch for some time, enabling them to gain mastery of how to maneuver the impediments.

It was a sad end to our quest to feature in the World.  The attack was brunt and I began to feel the absence of Victor Osimhen.  There was no urgency or drive to score a goal. Éric Chelle's performance should be evaluated.

We should not use the pitch as an excuse because This performance was a very sabolic performance from the super eagles of Nigeria and what do you expect from this game in the part of the south Africans all they wanted was a draw and they got it, Nigeria short themselves in the foot bamy starting this world cup qualifiers on a very bad note as they were losing and drawing at home so this is what you get in return for unseriousness in the part of the NFF and even the players.

I think people are not using the pitch as an excuse, when we see what is bad we should acknowledge that it’s bad, the Nigerian Super Eagles I must say was very bad, they played a very poor game of football, they were finding it difficult to create chances and I must also say that they miss Victor Osimhen, who I must say he is the best striker now in Africa, unfortunately we was out injured with a knock, right now the way Nigeria is playing nobody knows if they can even win their remaining two games, or even qualify for the World Cup, which I think right now it’s looking very difficult, when I saw the game against Cape Verde vs Cameroon, the pitch was excellent and a very good pitch, and DR Congo vs Senegal was a very good pitch, I think the South Africans intentionally used that pitch to reduced the Nigerian players performance, that pitch alone can get someone injured without being tackled, I’m absolutely not impressed with the performance of the Nigerian players throughout the qualifying process of the World Cup, they have all been very poor.

[Hewlet]

Dude are you serious? What trigger you to take such risk in super eagles match, noing fully well that they are not trustworthy. But never the less because super eagles have just level the scores not quite long now, so your life time savings might likely be secured if they still continue like this in the second half. However, I would advise you not to gamble above your limit because game of football is unpredictable as everything is quite possible to happen at any given time.

Its not an easy one for me now, I over rated the Nigerian team due to the quality of players in their squad without knowing they can't make it happen when they are needed most but let's watch maybe they could turn the table at last just the way Italy did in their game against Israel. Now I understand why it is clearly stated we should gamble with what we can afford to loss know matter the assurance one thinks he or she has on any game. Although I strongly believe the super eagles will win the game at last, that's what I know and am fully convinced it will happen.

you can not over rate our Nigerian team in a major game as this especially when you know that they are playing against her top rival that will hope that Nigeria never qualifies for the world cup. i anticipated a tough game because south Africa are equally a strong opposition. if not that what we needed is a win, the supper eagles tried to a reasonable extent but this is football, there is nothing that emotion helps with, you have to face things the way they are and as it stands, our chances of qualifying for the world cup is becoming slimmer by the day. i hate that we have to look out for someone's downfall as the only thing that will guarantee the possibility of our qualification.

[Majestic-milf]

The pitch looks like it was deliberately selected so that Nigeria could not be able to perform well as we all know that Bloemfontein is not a place that the Super Eagles are familiar with. Out of the 13 times these two have met, it's only once that South Africa has won and would be looking to upset the balance.
What I noticed in this game really got me angry because it seemed like Nigeria didn't understand what was at stake in this game. Often making mistakes to the point that the first goal for SA came as a result of a mistake from  William Troost Ekong thanks to the fact that they kept mounting pressure on the Nigerians.
 Even though they are at a stalemate at halftime, what would determine that Nigeria takes all three points is if they add the fire that they started coming out with towards the latter ends of the half.

There are rumours that the South African Football Association decided to move the game to Toyota Stadium in Bloemfontein because they wanted the Nigerian supporters to be few. Bloemfontein has a low population of Nigerians, so they wanted the Super Eagles fan base to be small. But I don't think it's a valid reason because Nigerians can easily travel to the area.

The pitch was so bad that it was difficult to pass the ball without diversions.  I suspect that the South African players trained on that pitch for some time, enabling them to gain mastery of how to maneuver the impediments.

It was a sad end to our quest to feature in the World.  The attack was brunt and I began to feel the absence of Victor Osimhen.  There was no urgency or drive to score a goal. Éric Chelle's performance should be evaluated.

There were so many things that the Nigerians did that needed to be evaluated,not just Eric Chelle. How can you be losing and be comfortable to be acting the way you did. Look at how Nwabali was comfortable when they were a goal down instead of fighting and pushing. Another sad thing was when Ronwen Williams, the SA keeper would hold the ball and instead of the Nigerians to show some urgency, they will just relax and wait for him. It's as if they are afraid when they are trying to tackle the South Africans.

[Abbatty]

The Bafana Bafana of South Africa and the super eagles of Nigeria ended their match in a 1-1 draw, this is a result that favors the Bafana Bafana so much as it get them closer in securing their place in the 2026 World Cup and as for the super eagles this result is not closer to what they needed in getting hopes for qualifying for the World Cup. Well as a super eagles fan I’m not surprised, I expected a defeat in this match, they way in which the super eagles play is so annoying, someone would even think they don’t train. They can’t even put heads together to even create a chance.

Maybe it a good thing their hopes for the coming World Cup is sinking because I can’t imagine going to the World Cup and playing this way, these players don’t even fight for the badge. I’m even tired of complaining because it has been this way for over a decade. Missing out on back to back World Cup is unacceptable.

[IjawMan]

Its not an easy one for me now, I over rated the Nigerian team due to the quality of players in their squad without knowing they can't make it happen when they are needed most but let's watch maybe they could turn the table at last just the way Italy did in their game against Israel. Now I understand why it is clearly stated we should gamble with what we can afford to loss know matter the assurance one thinks he or she has on any game. Although I strongly believe the super eagles will win the game at last, that's what I know and am fully convinced it will happen.

Alas, the game ended up in a 1-1 draw. None of the teams were able to find the back of the net in the second half. I don't know why you placed a blind bet despite the unstable performance of the Super Eagles. South Africa is first on the table with 17 points and Nigeria only have 11 points, what did you think will be the fate of the Super Eagles qualifying to the world cup.

Was he not aware of the terrible performances of the super eagles right from the last 7 matches the Nigeria team has played and the results they had in all those games. Could have been that he was eluded by the outcomes of previous meetings between Nigeria and South Africa which Nigeria has beaten them more than south Africa has done. Nigeria team has quality players but this do not reflect on the field when they play. This 1-1 draw takes us no where, we just have to come back home and leak our wounds cause there is no place in the world cup for Nigeria this time again as it was in 2022.

[Mr Reporter]

The pitch looks like it was deliberately selected so that Nigeria could not be able to perform well as we all know that Bloemfontein is not a place that the Super Eagles are familiar with. Out of the 13 times these two have met, it's only once that South Africa has won and would be looking to upset the balance.
What I noticed in this game really got me angry because it seemed like Nigeria didn't understand what was at stake in this game. Often making mistakes to the point that the first goal for SA came as a result of a mistake from  William Troost Ekong thanks to the fact that they kept mounting pressure on the Nigerians.
 Even though they are at a stalemate at halftime, what would determine that Nigeria takes all three points is if they add the fire that they started coming out with towards the latter ends of the half.

I really felt that the Nigerian players didn't show enough urgency or fight when they were down by a goal, which might have impacted the outcome of the game.
The team's behavior, as you described, seemed relaxed and lacking in intensity, particularly when Ronwen Williams, the South African goalkeeper, held the ball.
You also mentioned that the Nigerian players appeared hesitant or afraid to tackle their opponents aggressively.

[Abdulzuruku01]

There were so many things that the Nigerians did that needed to be evaluated,not just Eric Chelle. How can you be losing and be comfortable to be acting the way you did. Look at how Nwabali was comfortable when they were a goal down instead of fighting and pushing. Another sad thing was when Ronwen Williams, the SA keeper would hold the ball and instead of the Nigerians to show some urgency, they will just relax and wait for him. It's as if they are afraid when they are trying to tackle the South Africans.

This was the problem I used to see with these players,  they don't take their home games as seriously as other African countries do. That's why many people rate the Falcons higher. I know their efforts aren't comparable, but these girls have always played their best to achieve their goals. Nigeria still has a chance to qualify if they perform well and win their remaining matches against Lesotho and Benin. However, given their current form, winning against Benin will be extremely tough because they're level on points, and Benin will surely put up a desperate fight to beat Nigeria.

[Rruchi man]

Nice one for Nigeria as they are playing a 1:1 draw against South Africa in this world cup qualifiers it was an interesting first half as both teams struggled to get possession of the game, let see how the game will be in the second half of this game Nigeria must win this game to have any hopes of qualifying for the world cup.

People will want to blame the pitch for the draw, but I don't think that was the only problem. I am not surprised by the results because I said even before the game against Rwanda that we were going to win the first game and not win the second.

If you are on social media, you will see that some of these players are more active on social media than they are on the pitch.

There needs to be a complete overhauling of these players and even the coach plus the management of NFF. It is a big shame that we cannot qualify for the world cup.

[EL MOHA]

This was the problem I used to see with these players,  they don't take their home games as seriously as other African countries do. That's why many people rate the Falcons higher. I know their efforts aren't comparable, but these girls have always played their best to achieve their goals. Nigeria still has a chance to qualify if they perform well and win their remaining matches against Lesotho and Benin. However, given their current form, winning against Benin will be extremely tough because they're level on points, and Benin will surely put up a desperate fight to beat Nigeria.

All this was a result of the first round of the qualifiers this Nigerian team had every opportunity to be in a better position than where they have themselves at the moment but they choose not to be there, three draws in the first round of matches was utterly poor for nation that knows that the group only has one automatic qualification spot. This current Nigeria players are only good on paper and seriously do not showcase any prowess at the pitch, we have the highest number of players playing in top European leagues but yet nothing to show for it. It seriously discouraging

Right now even if they win their games they need a miracle with South Africa losing their remaining two matches. For me I think it will be impossible and Nigeria should focus on defeating the Benin team and then take the second position to see if they will make it into the play offs for the four best second place teams and seriously at this point they are not part of them winning all their games will take them to 17 points which is enough only if the other second placed teams actually drops points in October qualifications

[GiftedMAN]

If you are on social media, you will see that some of these players are more active on social media than they are on the pitch.

There needs to be a complete overhauling of these players and even the coach plus the management of NFF. It is a big shame that we cannot qualify for the world cup.

I see people blaming the Nigerian team, I understand their anger since they'll love to see Nigeria in the world cup but they should also understand that South Africa has an old rivalry with Nigeria when it comes to football so it wasn't supposed to be easy. Although the poor facility played a role  too but I won't see that as an excuse.

[Spaceman1000$]

If you are on social media, you will see that some of these players are more active on social media than they are on the pitch.

There needs to be a complete overhauling of these players and even the coach plus the management of NFF. It is a big shame that we cannot qualify for the world cup.

I see people blaming the Nigerian team, I understand their anger since they'll love to see Nigeria in the world cup but they should also understand that South Africa has an old rivalry with Nigeria when it comes to football so it wasn't supposed to be easy. Although the poor facility played a role  too but I won't see that as an excuse.

Those Nigerians that want to see the super Eagles in the World cup, are not being truthful to themselves, if we are looking at the performance of the super Eagles in this qualifiers series, which of the European teams can they easily win, the team has been playing without a particular pattern or strategy, it has been more of a try your luck approach for them to have gotten this 11 point, so giving the struggle to which they've been encountering and how they've been unable to convincely win th
 matches easily, it will be a disaster if you go to the World cup with this kind of performance because we won't go beyond the group stage.

[Issa56]

People will want to blame the pitch for the draw, but I don't think that was the only problem. I am not surprised by the results because I said even before the game against Rwanda that we were going to win the first game and not win the second.

I don’t know why they choose to use that pitch for the match, they have better pitch, then they should have made use of that, a match like this is not supposed to be played on a pitch like that. I know the pitch affected the super eagles in the match, because I saw some errors which they made, and I will say it was caused by the pitch. South Africa were also affected a little bit, but I have the feelings that they are use to the pitch already, so it doesn’t have much impact on them.

Actually the pitch alone is not the reason the super eagles couldn’t win today, I will say the super eagles were not really serious also, we all saw how badly they played today most especially in the first half of the match, they didn’t play like a team that really wants to win, with the kind of players which the super eagles are having, I was expecting a better performance from them.

It’s just better the super eagles allow Eric Chelle leave the team, they really need a better coach, with their current coach, I don’t think the super eagles will be able to achieve anything, so it’s just better they get a better coach.

[Silikiem]

The Bafana Bafana of South Africa and the super eagles of Nigeria ended their match in a 1-1 draw, this is a result that favors the Bafana Bafana so much as it get them closer in securing their place in the 2026 World Cup and as for the super eagles this result is not closer to what they needed in getting hopes for qualifying for the World Cup. Well as a super eagles fan I’m not surprised, I expected a defeat in this match, they way in which the super eagles play is so annoying, someone would even think they don’t train. They can’t even put heads together to even create a chance.

Maybe it a good thing their hopes for the coming World Cup is sinking because I can’t imagine going to the World Cup and playing this way, these players don’t even fight for the badge. I’m even tired of complaining because it has been this way for over a decade. Missing out on back to back World Cup is unacceptable.

The super eagles of Nigeria really do have a long way to go because watching the game today makes me wonder what’s the tactics of the coach coming into such a crucial match against South Africa in their South African home. I clearly didn’t see any tactics from the super eagles, no game plan and the Energy they gave in the pitch doesn’t match what’s at stake. And as for the Nigerian Coach, I don’t know why he started Cyril Dessers as the main striker instead of Tolu Arokodare whom everyone will agree with me that he is the best option in the absence of the injured Victor Osimehn, you see what happened when he was later introduced in the second half of the game. During the first half, the super eagles were toothless in attack, it was when Tolu was introduced that’s when they started looking like they have a striker because he was actually brilliant in his hold up play and almost scored a goal from a tight corner. I think a lot of work needs to be done in this super eagles team, not just with the players but also the management. But above all the mentality of this players is questionable when it comes to playing for The super eagles.

[Odohu]

Maybe it a good thing their hopes for the coming World Cup is sinking because I can’t imagine going to the World Cup and playing this way, these players don’t even fight for the badge. I’m even tired of complaining because it has been this way for over a decade. Missing out on back to back World Cup is unacceptable.

No matter what happens, having the Super Eagles in the Worl Cup will give a different vibe. I really wish we qualified but as it is now, I don't see much hope for us. With this draw today, South Africa have qualified since no one can catch up with them at 17 points which is 6 points higher than Nigeria and Rwanda who may win their match to take the second position. There is little hope for Nigeria because Rwanda did not have any reason not to finish higher than Nigeria.

[Rgram]

No matter what happens, having the Super Eagles in the Worl Cup will give a different vibe. I really wish we qualified but as it is now, I don't see much hope for us. With this draw today, South Africa have qualified since no one can catch up with them at 17 points which is 6 points higher than Nigeria and Rwanda who may win their match to take the second position. There is little hope for Nigeria because Rwanda did not have any reason not to finish higher than Nigeria.

It would have meant a lot of heart breaks for Nigerians because, what is this! Is this the sort of play that we would be hoping to see in the World Cup should they have qualified? Nigeria doesn’t deserve to be in the World Cup and they didn’t. The pitch South Africa chose for this fixture was surely not a good one, a shady move for people that needed just a draw to qualify and the Super Eagles handed that to them. Ekong gave them the goal they needed and then, we had to beg for draw, such loosed play.

[IceLincoln]

There were so many things that the Nigerians did that needed to be evaluated,not just Eric Chelle. How can you be losing and be comfortable to be acting the way you did. Look at how Nwabali was comfortable when they were a goal down instead of fighting and pushing. Another sad thing was when Ronwen Williams, the SA keeper would hold the ball and instead of the Nigerians to show some urgency, they will just relax and wait for him. It's as if they are afraid when they are trying to tackle the South Africans.

The lack of urgency in our players has always been a problem for us it’s been an age long problem for all super Eagles squad since I started watching football. We don’t have that resilient and fighting spirit in us, I don’t know where Osimhen got his own from he’s the only player in the squad that feels like he understands what it means and cares that’s why I lost hope when he was out injured, from that moment I knew our qualification is only possible by a miracle now Benin has won with a huge goal margin, our hopes of qualification becomes very thin and maybe out of our hands.

[Roseline492]

Those Nigerians that want to see the super Eagles in the World cup, are not being truthful to themselves, if we are looking at the performance of the super Eagles in this qualifiers series, which of the European teams can they easily win, the team has been playing without a particular pattern or strategy, it has been more of a try your luck approach for them to have gotten this 11 point,

Non of the European clubs they can win because there playing is not actually how those Europeans clubs do, there was a time we usually compete against European countries like Argentina and Portugal and then even if Argentina win the eagles is usually because of free kick since is the area Lionel Messi loves playing if not is difficult but now they cannot stand those countries as before again because they're too behind and Portugal is even the country that's too impossible for them. This is the part were we would say let's try again next world cup and see if it will be possible again, I had my doubt because of Osimhen and it has finally happened.

[KingsDen]

There were so many things that the Nigerians did that needed to be evaluated,not just Eric Chelle. How can you be losing and be comfortable to be acting the way you did. Look at how Nwabali was comfortable when they were a goal down instead of fighting and pushing. Another sad thing was when Ronwen Williams, the SA keeper would hold the ball and instead of the Nigerians to show some urgency, they will just relax and wait for him. It's as if they are afraid when they are trying to tackle the South Africans.

The lack of urgency in our players has always been a problem for us it’s been an age long problem for all super Eagles squad since I started watching football. We don’t have that resilient and fighting spirit in us, I don’t know where Osimhen got his own from he’s the only player in the squad that feels like he understands what it means and cares that’s why I lost hope when he was out injured, from that moment I knew our qualification is only possible by a miracle now Benin has won with a huge goal margin, our hopes of qualification becomes very thin and maybe out of our hands.

Victor Osimhen is the only one different in terms of urgency or agility in the field of play. I was literally shouting to the TV as if they could hear me to always chase the ball. It is natural that people that equalized a goal have the higher tendency to score the next goal. But Nigeria didn't capitalize on this to score a second goal.

Apart from lacking the spirit of urgency, some good players were actually the shadow of themselves today. Players like;
Lookman,
Troost Ekong
S.Moses
They all had a bad day today. Moses couldn't pass any defender today. If not for Bassey that shew professionalism from defence we wouldn't have gotten even the one goal. When Aina got injured, I knew it was over for us.

[348Judah]

That is where the struggles lies, the super eagles couldn't achieve a victory over their match with South Africa, what a pity they don't have bold confidence in beating them, not even this time this was needed so badly against South Africa, I don't see a draw as something to write about, because there's no victory yet in it, which shows that none could afford the victory at last over the other, and now the Nigerian Super Eagles are at the worst of it all.

[Nightwatchmare]

Well, despite my hope that the Super Eagles would be victorious in that match, I won't doubt that it's not going to be tough, yes it would be tough but the Super Eagles have done it before and are capable of winning the South African team again,

The super eagles need to win today’s match. The match will be starting in the next few minutes, seriously the winner of the match is just going to be difficult to predict, but with the condition which the super eagles are currently, then they will do everything to get a win in the match , even as we all know that the match is not really going to be a easy one for the two team. Super eagles are really having great squad, I just hope the players which they have are going to perform well today, I really want the super eagles to get a win in the match, let’s wait and see if they won’t disappoint us today.

I was hoping the super eagles would defeat the South African team since they need the three points more than the South African team to qualify for the upcoming world cup tournament in the United States, but it's heartbreaking that the super eagles couldn't defeat the South African team to increase their chances of qualifying for the world cup. After the super eagles drew with the South African team, i will say that the super eagles hope of qualifying for the world club is gone because Benin defeated Lesotho 4:0 to reclaim their second position from the super eagles.