Calvin Bassey Reacts After Scoring Controversial Goal Against South Africa
- Calvin Bassey scored the Super Eagles' goal during their 1-1 draw against South Africa in Bloemfontein
- Video replay showed that the defender bundled the ball into the net with his hand, but the officials missed it
- The Premier League star has reacted to the controversial goal, which was his first for the national team
Super Eagles defender Calvin Bassey has reacted after scoring his first goal for the national team during the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier match against South Africa.
Bassey appeared to have headed home Bright Osayi-Samuel's cross, but video replays showed that he connected with his arm, but the officials missed.
Source: Getty Images
The video assistant referee (VAR) was not in use during the qualifiers, which would have ruled out the goal after checks and penalised the defender.
There were protests from the South Africans, but the goal stood to put the Super Eagles level at halftime after captain William Troost-Ekong’s own goal.
South Africa held on, and the second half was scoreless, to the advantage of Bafana Bafana, who moved closer to qualifying for their first Mundial since hosting it in 2010.
Nigeria are not mathematically out, but will need to win their remaining two matches and have South Africa and Benin Republic fail miraculously.
Bassey reacts after first Super Eagles goal
Bassey, despite knowing he scored with his hands, has taken to his social media pages to celebrate his first goal for the national team, and remains hopeful that Nigeria will qualify.
“Honoured to wear this shirt and score my first goal. We didn't win, but we keep believing, if anyone can do, it is God,” he wrote.
The Premier League star added that he will frame his first goal jersey, but he is torn between washing it and keeping it as is.
Daniel Akpeyi reacts to Bassey's goal
Former Super Eagles goalkeeper Daniel Akpeyi believes that the Gabonese referee Pierre Atcho was not to blame for the goal, but rather the absence of VAR.
“A goal is a goal. The ball touched his hand in the last seconds before it went into the net. Unfortunately, there is no VAR for the referee to cancel that goal. If you benefit from it, you just take it,” he said as quoted by All Nigeria Soccer.
Akpeyi represented Nigeria 18 times and was part of the AFCON 2019 squad, famously conceding Riyad Mahrez’s free kick in the semi-final.
Source: Getty Images
Itumeleng Khune slams referee
Bafana Bafana legend Itumeleng Khune was unhappy with the officials for not spotting the handball and allowing Bassey's goal to stand.
“I don’t know how the referee missed that, he was in a good position to see. If he didn’t see it, his linesman could’ve seen it, because when you look at Bassey, he jumped more than anyone else,” Khune said on SABC, as quoted by Daily Post.
Hugo Broos reacts to Bassey's goal
Legit.ng reported that Hugo Broos reacted to Bassey's goal, claiming the goal should have been ruled out as it was a handball from the defender.
The Belgian manager added that his team failed to combat Nigeria’s aggressiveness, which allowed Bassey higher up the pitch to score that goal.
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Source: Legit.ng
