Soccer
Nigeria Super Eagles. Copyright: IMAGOxAdekunlexAjayix
Nigeria legend Segun Odegbami has delivered a brutal assessment of the Super Eagles following their 1-1 draw with South Africa in Bloemfontein, insisting his country did not deserve to win, Soccernet.ng reports.
The 1980 Africa Cup of Nations winner expressed deep frustration with the team’s performance in Tuesday’s World Cup qualifier, a result that leaves Nigeria’s hopes of reaching the 2026 tournament in jeopardy.
The Super Eagles went to Bloemfontein under pressure, needing victory to revive their campaign after a sluggish start.
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With just 10 points from seven matches before kick-off, they trailed South Africa, who sat on 16 points. Nigeria extended their unbeaten record on South African soil but were unable to claim the three points they desperately needed.
Odegbami did not mince words in his Guardian column.
“Which Nigerian does not know that the Super Eagles were overhyped and over pampered? They had not been impressive and convincing in their performances for well for over a decade whilst changing coaches like baby Diapers, and massaging the egos of players that could not reciprocate with great performances on the field,” the 1980 AFCON top goalscorer wrote.
“The country was so starved of success that when the Super Eagles managed to get to the finals of the African Cup of Nations in January of 2024, and lost, the country had an orgasm, celebrating and rewarding the team as if they had won the World Cup!
“Since then, the country had paid for this seeming profligacy, its football remaining stagnant, not rising above that plateau, and struggling to justify a celebration that may now be considered premature.
“Since then, the Eagles have become like Guinea Fowls flying only in short stops and starts, from one match to another, at home and away, putting up average performances, and making Nigerians to feast on prayers for a simple victory.
“This is the Giant of African football at a time, in a quest for a World Cup ticket with a new format that offers the largest number of teams to qualify from Africa, with Nigeria in the easiest Group!
“The team has been limping from one uneventful match to match, with Nigerians continuing to support them in hopeless hope.”
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On the match itself, William Troost-Ekong’s own goal gave Bafana Bafana the lead before Calvin Bassey equalised with his first goal for Nigeria. Despite chances to win in the second half, Nigeria failed to convert.
Odegbami believed the result was fair.
“At the end, Nigeria did not deserve a victory and the score line (1-1) was reflective of the performances by both teams in a match played on a very bad turf as part of the strategy of the South Africans.”
Nigeria still face Lesotho and Benin Republic in October, but qualification hopes appear slim. Missing out would mean the Super Eagles fail to reach consecutive World Cups, having also missed Qatar 2022.
Imhonlamhen Eronmhonsele
Imhonlamhen Eronmhonsele turns into a ball of passion when writing about Nigerian football and its talents, whether rising stars or established legends, locally and abroad.
From the deepest corners of the Middle East, to the green fields of the Americas, to the celebrated grounds in Europe, and the rich soils of Africa, Imhons is more than glad, usually with a glass of a tasty drink nearby, to capture the essence of the game, by connecting the dots between culture, identity, and football.
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