South African Football Chief Mocks Nigeria: “Nothing Super About the Super Eagles” After Bloemfontein Draw

Natasha Tsichlas, a prominent figure in South African football, has openly criticized Nigeria’s Super Eagles following their hard-fought 1-1 draw against Bafana Bafana in Bloemfontein on Tuesday evening, according to Soccernet.ng.

Needing a win to boost their faltering World Cup qualifying campaign, Nigeria instead left the field with a frustrating stalemate.

South Africa took the lead through an unfortunate own goal by William Troost-Ekong, but Nigeria’s Calvin Bassey managed to salvage a point by netting his first goal for the national team.

While the draw maintained Nigeria’s unbeaten away record against South Africa, Tsichlas, who previously served as Mamelodi Sundowns’ CEO and now holds the position of vice-president at the South African Football Association, expressed that the Super Eagles no longer possess the dominance they once had.

“Respectfully, the ‘Super’ in Super Eagles seems to have faded. I recall the times when they truly lived up to that name when facing Bafana,” Tsichlas shared with KickOff.com.

She praised South Africa’s dynamic and fluid offensive display during the first half as evidence of their revival.

“Watching Bafana’s first-half performance was a delight. Their passing, technical skills, and movement were exceptional. The way they exchanged the ball without hesitation reminded me of the elegant football we used to witness. It was truly enjoyable,” she remarked.

Tsichlas also pointed out that Nigeria’s equalizing goal lacked the finesse and teamwork that South Africa demonstrated throughout the match.

“The manner in which Nigeria scored was quite telling,” she noted sharply.

With this result, South Africa continues to lead Group C, accumulating 17 points from eight matches, holding a three-point advantage over second-placed Benin. Nigeria, tied with Rwanda at 11 points, faces a daunting challenge as only the group winner secures a spot in the 2026 World Cup.

Bafana Bafana, on the other hand, require just four more points from their upcoming fixtures against Zimbabwe and Rwanda to confirm their qualification. Tsichlas emphasized that the team’s cohesion has been a key factor in their impressive form.

“Bafana now commands respect across the continent. The players exhibit remarkable dedication and skill,” she said.

“Their understanding on the pitch is evident in their seamless passing. Even off the field, in the hotels, there’s a strong camaraderie and laughter. It’s refreshing, especially after such a long period,” she added.

She also revealed that Nigeria’s head coach, Eric Chelle, had warned his squad about the threat posed by South Africa.

“Interestingly, the Nigerian coach cautioned his players about Bafana. They even questioned why he spoke so highly of us [laughs]. Some Nigerian players seemed to rely heavily on physicality, but if football were solely about strength, we’d be fielding bodybuilders instead of footballers,” Tsichlas commented.

Looking ahead, Nigeria will face Lesotho and Benin Republic in October during the final phase of the qualifiers. Even with victories in both matches, securing an automatic World Cup berth remains uncertain for the Super Eagles.