“Can You Imagine”: Nigerians React As NFF Blames Cyril Dessers for 1-1 Draw vs South Africa
- The Nigeria Football Federation have blamed the Panathinaikos striker Cyril Dessers for the Super Eagles' disappointing result in Bloemfontein
- Nigeria were held in a 1-1 draw against Bafana Bafana at the Free State Stadium on Tuesday evening, September 9
- Nigerians have taken a swipe at the leadership of the NFF for singling out the former Rangers player
Nigeria's chances of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup suffered a setback following their 1-1 draw against South Africa on Tuesday night, September 9.
The Bafana Bafana took the lead in the 25th minute after Super Eagles captain William Troost-Ekong converted Teboho Mokoena's cross into the back of his net.
Fulham defender Calvin Bassey ensured Nigeria restored parity in the 44th minute after scoring a header from Birmingham City's Bright Osayi-Samuels' cross from the right-hand side, beating South Africa's captain Ronwen Williams.
Source: Getty Images
Bafana Bafana are one step closer to securing a World Cup ticket in the 2026 CAF Qualification Group C with 17 points, while the Super Eagles are in third place with 11 points, per FIFA.
NFF statement after Nigeria vs South Africa
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) communications department has carpeted Panathinaikos striker Cyril Dessers after the 1-1 draw against South Africa.
According to Eagles Tracker, the NFF said the former Rangers FC player failed to live up to expectations after a disappointing performance against Rwanda, following his replacement of the injured Victor Osimhen. It read, in part:
"Cyriel Dessers, who had an unimpressive game in Uyo where he turned out to be a substitute that was substituted, did not have a better game as he was too slow to latch onto passes, could not win aerial balls and did little in bringing alive the Nigerian attack."
The 30-year-old was replaced by Wolves' new signing Tolu Arokodare in the 46th minute, but his presence could not inspire a goal from the three-time AFCON winners.
The former Rangers FC player has scored three goals for Nigeria, with his latest against Ghana during the 2025 Unity Cup in London.
Source: Getty Images
Nigeria react
Nigerians were unimpressed with the press statement released by the Nigeria Football Federation. Read them below:
Dozie Alaribe said:
"Can you imagine."
Iyke Izuka wrote:
"Some of the lines in this statement are unnecessary, coming from NFF who suppose to act and speak like a father about his children.
"Those lines bluntly show that the father is openly condemning one of his sons publicly in a collective assignment.
"Such a statement should come from an analyst who does not have an administrative role over the players."
Mangaliso Ịhụnanya Eze Mangy added:
"If I were Cyril Dessers, I would retire from national duty after reading this."
John Benjamin said:
"So they are blaming Cyril Dessers for the loss."
Solomon Akoji wrote:
"This is the peak of unprofessionalism from NFF!"
Nigerians react to draw vs South Africa
Legit.ng earlier reported that Nigerians reacted to the draw against South Africa, which makes it even more difficult for the Super Eagles to qualify for the World Cup.
Fulham defender Calvin Bassey scored the equaliser with his arm, which could have been ruled out if the video assistant referee had been in use.
Proofreading by Omoleye Omoruyi, copy editor at Legit.ng.
Source: Legit.ng
