By; PATRICK TITUS, Uyo
Super Eagles’ Head Coach, Finidi George has described last Friday’s 1-1 draw with Bafana Bafana of South Africa in the ongoing 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier Group C match as an outing not good enough for Nigeria’s team as they have three points in three matches.
The cracker saw Nigeria’s Eagles not flying well to the delight of the enthusiastic football fans that overweighed the 30,000 seater capacity Godswill Akpabio International Stadium Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.
George said his players approached the first half of the match in a sloppy manner that did not produce a goal.
He however, assured fans that the team will strategise to ensure victory in the next group match.
“I think we enter the game a little bit sloppy, but we picked up in the second half.
“On the overall, it was not a bad second half, but I felt we should have entered the game in the early minutes of play. It is not the result we expected.
“A draw is not too good, but we will strategise to win the next game. We will remain focused in our next match to win.
“We want to qualify and we will do everything to ensure we win,” George said.
On his part, the Bafana Bafana Coach, Hugo Broos, said he was very proud of his players for holding the Super Eagles to a draw.
Broos said his boys played good football and did not disappoint him and the country, saying that the result was good for his team.
He, however admitted that the Super Eagles was a big opponent in the group as they have good players.
“For us, we are very happy with the outcome of the match. I can only be proud of my players, who played good football today.
“I think the result is correct and good,” Broos said.
Our Correspondent reports that the enthusiastic fans trooped into the stadium as early as 5pm on Friday with expectations to cheer the Super Eagles to victory that will improved their chances in the ongoing 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifying competition.
The stadium was filled before the kickoff time of 8pm with hope that the Super Eagles will have a convincing victory over their opponent.
Bafana Bafana opened scoring line in the first half through Zwane Themba at the 28th minutes of play.
Super Eagles efforts to equalise in the first half did not yield fruit, until about 46 minutes in the second half that Dele Bashiru made a net shaking strike to calm down the already hypertensed supporters.
Host state governor, Pastor Umo Eno who bought all the tickets and distributed free to fans, watched the match live alongside Governors Douye Diri of Bayelsa, Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo and Babajide Sanwoolu of Lagos state.
