NFF slams Dessers, faults Ekong after Eagles’ 1-1 draw in Bloemfontein
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has criticised Super Eagles striker Cyriel Dessers and faulted captain William Troost-Ekong after the team’s 1-1 draw with South Africa in a 2026 World Cup qualifier on Tuesday.
The Eagles, desperate for a win to keep their qualification hopes alive, were rocked early when Ola Aina limped off in the eighth minute.
Things worsened when Ekong turned the ball into his own net in the 25th minute, handing Bafana Bafana the lead.
Calvin Bassey equalised on the stroke of half-time, but Nigeria failed to find a winner after the break. Substitutes Tolu Arokodare, Samuel Chukwueze and Chrisantus Uche could not break down the South African defence.
In a statement issued by its Director of Communications, Dr. Ademola Olajire, the NFF singled out Dessers for stinging criticism.
“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.
It also faulted Ekong for the own 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.”
Bassey, however, drew praise for his determination. “Defender Calvin Bassey showed immense fighting spirit and resilience to get Nigeria back into the game with a minute left of the first period,” the NFF said.
But the federation reserved further criticism for the team’s second-half display. Despite dominating possession, it said the Eagles “delivered little,” lamenting missed chances from Arokodare and Dele-Bashiru.
The draw leaves Nigeria stranded on 11 points in Group C, with South Africa top on 17. The Eagles must now beat Lesotho and Benin Republic and hope rivals slip to stand any chance of reaching next year’s World Cup in North America.
