Broos, however, admitted that the Super Eagles took the initiative in the second half to win the crucial encounter.
By Kehinde Okeowo
South Africa head coach, Hugo Broos has hailed his players for holding Nigeria to a draw in Tuesday’s 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying match played at the Toyota Stadium, Bloemfontein.
Bafana Bafana, and the Super Eagles battled to a 1-1 draw in the keenly contested encounter.
The hosts took the lead in the 25th minute after Nigeria captain, William Troost-Ekong scored an unfortunate own-goal.
Eric Chelle’s men, however, fought back with Calvin Bassey nodding home Fisayo Dele-Bashiru’s cross on the stroke of half-time.
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Nigeria then dominated the second half looking for the winner but Bafana Bafana stood firm at the back.
Speaking after the match, Broos heaped plaudits on his players after the game for matching the “physicality” of the visitors.
He however, admitted that Nigeria took the initiative in the second half to win the very crucial encounter.
The Belgian tactician said, “It was a match like I expected, a physical match much harder from the opponent, it’s only in the second half when they tried to win the game with power football, but we did a very good game also.”
