'Three draws after two home games' - Hugo Broos taunts Super Eagles over sluggish start to 2026 WCQs

Bafana Bafana manager Hugo Broos was delighted after his side forced the Super Eagles to a 1-1 draw in a 2026 World Cup qualifier at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo on Friday night.

Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, on his cap-tying game, saved Nigeria from defeat thirty-seven seconds after the restart when his stunning strike canceled out Themba Zwane's first half opener. 

The group is still wide open after three rounds of matches in the qualifiers, with just three points separating the first and sixth-placed team. 

Ahead of their trip to Abidjan to face Gernot Rohr's Cheetahs, the Super Eagles are currently in fifth place, one spot below South Africa, who will host Zimbabwe in their next fixture.

Broos noted that the Super Eagles were expected to be their toughest opponent but have made a sluggish start to the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, drawing all three of their matches, including two at home.

"Normally when you see the draw of the group then you know that Nigeria will be your biggest opponent to be first in the group so when you come here you hope to have minimum one point," Broos told reporters at the post-match press conference. 

"It was very important today not to lose that game and I said also that the pressure was on Nigeria. Nigeria played three draws now with two home games.

"You know in qualifiers that's not really good, you need to win your home games first and then see that you can take some points, victory, outside. We are very happy with the point."

The Super Eagles are scheduled to face South Africa in the penultimate round of matches in Group C in October 2025.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel 

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