Former Nigerian international Peter Rufai has blamed the Super Eagles inability to pick the maximum points against South Africa in Friday’s 2026 World Cup qualifiers due to the players poor performance in the first half.
Recall that Nigeria were held to a 1-1 draw by Bafana Bafana at the Godwill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo, their third straight draw in the qualifiers.
Zwane netted the opening goal for South Africa in the 29th minute before Fisayo Dele-Bashiru leveled parity at the start of the second half.
Read Also: 2026 WCQ: Super Eagles Drop Points Again After 1-1 Draw With South Africa
Reacting after the game, the 1994 Africa Cup of Nations winner, who was a guest on Afrosports, stated that the team didn’t show the kind of explosive action they displayed in the second for the first half.
He, however, said the team must buckle up for the next game against Benin on Monday.
‘They started the first half in a not too explosive way like they did in the second half.
“In the second half, we saw a Super Eagles that was explosive and wanted to take the South Africans to the cleaner. But then, that is where I think they allowed Bafana Bafana to come into the game in the first half.
“The game against Benin will determine how far the team will go, but I am optimistic the Super Eagles will still qualify from the group.”
10 Comments
Poor first half performances
Poor first half performance.
Poor first half performance.
Hope Finidi Will last as a coach. Playing players out of position might prove to be his greatest undoing.
Kelechi Iheanacho struggled because he was played as winger his substitution with Chukwueze who brought life into the game.
Benching a Bundesliga top scorer,Victor Boniface over Onuachu I find easy to comprehend.
Anyway a draw is better than loss
Well we all don’t know why boniface wasn’t started or subbed on. Definitely the question would be asked, so lets just wait and here his reasons. Are you not shocked many players that came late started the game. Some who have been on vacaton over 3 weeks ago.
Shebi it was Peserio and Rohr that put them in the starting line up…..LMAOoo
Poor first half performance.
Hope Finidi Will last as a coach. Playing players out of position might prove to be his greatest undoing.
Kelechi Iheanacho struggled because he was played as winger until his substitution with Chukwueze who brought life into the game.
Benching a Bundesliga top scorer,Victor Boniface over Onuachu I find hard to comprehend.
Anyway a draw is better than loss
@Baba you vex recap your comment. This team will only qualify by playing off.
As you Kay your bed so you will sleep on it. Since NFF has refused to get sense. The outcome is what is playing before everyone. What kind selection be this. Playing players out of position.
Awon 94 squad cult of incompetent overrated coaches. Everything they touch turns to disaster.
Finidi played in Ajax….he played in real betis….he played under Westerhof, he won champions league…he has enough football knowledge to coach the SE…..LMAOOo
Useless set of people. I don’t know when playing under great coaches qualifies anybody to be a coach.
Ive said it b4 and will say it again, if we dont detach these entitled 94 cultists who cannot tell the truth no matter who is offended from our football, we will never progress.
I am almost certain that we won’t qualify from this group for the world cup.
If you abuse me for being so factual, I won’t hold it against you.
I know how we are all passionate about the SE, but the fact starring at us in the face is that we have backward thinking football administrators and a clueless coach.
I think it is over.
Hmmmmm, why abuse you bro. Your opinion is well taken, Yes we have terrible administrators. They sabotaging this team with their lackluster attitude. well we can only hope for the best.
I predicted when Finidi was hired that this team will not qualify for the WC. It’s beginning to look that way. Just look at the countries that are ahead of us on the table. It’s a shame that we are big for nothing. The NFF is incompetent and Finidi is a weak hire. To not make it to back-to-back world cups will set our football back 10 years.