FIFA Explains Why Nigeria Played South Africa on Poor Pitch in Bloemfontein
- FIFA has opened up on why the World Cup qualifier match was played on a poor pitch in Bloemfontein
- Super Eagles and Bafana Bafana players lamented the state of the pitch before and after the crucial match
- Super Eagles stars Wilfred Ndidi and Ola Aina got injured, with the defender likely to miss AFCON 2025
FIFA has explained why the crucial 2026 World Cup qualifier match between Nigeria and South Africa was played on a poor pitch in Bloemfontein.
The Super Eagles and Bafana Bafana played a 1-1 draw at the Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein, a match which had different consequences for both sides.
Source: Getty Images
Both teams complained about the state of the pitch at the stadium, which is mainly used to host rugby matches, but the match proceeded despite the concerns.
South Africa had previously played at the Peter Makoba Stadium and Moses Mabhida Stadium, which were in much better condition than Bloemfontein.
Nigeria lost two players to injuries, midfielder Wilfred Ndidi and defender Ola Aina, both of whom were down to the condition of the pitch.
Ndidi’s injury was a thigh injury, as confirmed by Besiktas’s official website. Though no timeline was given for the recovery, he is expected to be out for a while.
According to The Telegraph, Aina suffered a serious hamstring injury and will be out for about three months, putting him at risk of missing the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
FIFA reacts to Bloemfontein pitch
These injuries and the lacklustre nature of the match have raised questions about why FIFA allowed an international game to be held at such a poor pitch.
Nigerian journalist Osasu Obayiuwana disclosed that he quizzed a FIFA official who confirmed that CAF oversees the selection because the confederation oversees qualifiers.
His revelation also blamed the Nigeria Football Federation for not raising an alarm after inspection, but opened the door for a petition after the match.
“We, [as FIFA] have no capacity to check all the stadiums for all the World Cup qualifiers. We rely on the confederations (in this case CAF) to do so, because they organise the World Cup qualifiers within the region. If they didn’t do the job properly, which could happen, in this specific case, then NFF can file a complaint and then we see”, a spokesman for FIFA told Osasu.
Source: Getty Images
The hosting of the match in Bloemfontein was seen by Nigerians as a plot by South Africans to gain an unfair advantage in the World Cup qualifier.
South Africa's minister for sports, arts and culture, Gayton McKenzie, immediately confirmed that their final match will be played at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Port Elizabeth.
Bafana Bafana will be at home for both games in October. They will face Zimbabwe, who play their home games in South Africa on matchday nine, before hosting Rwanda on the final matchday.
Nigerian journalist writes to FIFA
Legit.ng reported that a Nigerian journalist wrote to FIFA about the delay in deducting South Africa's three points for fielding an ineligible player.
Former FIFA anti-racism task force member Osasu Obayiuwana publicly called out the world football governing body after CAS upheld Equatorial Guinea's six-point deduction.
Source: Legit.ng
