Head coach of the South African football team Hugo Broos has revealed his delight at his team's performance in their 1-1 draw against Nigeria, Soccernet.ng reports.
The Super Eagles started the game rather slowly, with Bafana Bafana showing more intent in the opening minutes.
Things went south for Eric Chelle when Ola Aina went off inside ten minutes, clutching his hamstring. Quarter of an hour later, Nigeria's captain, William Troost-Ekong, put the ball past his own goalkeeper.
Here is that goal!! pic.twitter.com/866YttlVqm
— Bafana Bafana (@BafanaBafana) September 9, 2025
Fulham centre-back Calvin Bassey rose highest just before half-time to score a bullet header to restore parity, but the second half was more of a physical battle than actual football action.
Hugo Broos pleased with Bafana Bafana
The Belgian gaffer, in his post-match conference, threw a slight shade over Eric Chelle's tactical game plan, claiming Nigeria came to fight rather than play actual football.
He also admitted Calvin Bassey's goal shouldn't have stood because the ball hit his hand in flight.
“Well, I think it was a game like I expected. On one side was a team that wanted to play football, and on the other side was a team that wanted to win with power,” the 72-year-old said in an interview posted by Prime Sports.
“We did very well in the first half hour, but after that, Nigeria tried to come back physically, and they did. If we had defended more aggressively, the goal would never have arrived, and secondly, it was a handball, but that's okay.
“What you can expect from a team like Nigeria is that they'll play a certain type of football, and it was like that.
“When you see the progression that we've made in this level of football, it's enormous. If South Africa of two years ago played Nigeria today, we would've lost.
“We knew in the second half that we couldn't win the game by playing football but by fighting, and that's what we did. We fought like them and were as physical as they were, and I think that the result is the right result.
“Neither of the two teams deserved to win. Now we need one victory, and we have two opportunities, so let's try to do it as soon as possible.
“I already said the best team will win the game, not the team with the best players, and we proved that. Our performance in this game made me proud.
“It was not good football, not at all, but the way they fought is nice to see for a coach,” Hugo Broos continued.
Quizzed if the absence of the 2023 CAF Player of the Year reduced Nigeria's threat in front of goal, the former Club Brugge defender responded wittingly, stating football is played by a team, not individuals.
“I heard some complaints from the Nigerians because Osimhen was not there, but in South Africa, we had six players out of the first team.
“So I think when they see the Nigerian team, when you don't have Osimhen, you have other people, and you can't complain about that.
“I can't complain either, because I want to have a team that if someone falls out, we'll have someone else, and we succeeded in doing that.”
“Believe me, I was here fourteen days ago, and I don't want to repeat what I said to the people about this pitch. We also need a good pitch to play football, and it was not possible today.
“Next time, we have to pick better Stadiums. It was never a problem in Cape Town and Queen Elizabeth. It was not an advantage for us to play on that pitch against such an opponent,” Broos clarified, stating it was not an intentional act from the South African Federation.
Only three players from South Africa's starting lineup yesterday ply their trade in Europe. Meanwhile, none of the 23 players Eric Chelle invited for the September International break ply their trade locally.
In response, Hugo Broos mentioned the PSL should be more intentional in exporting its talented players, as it'll raise the level of the South African national team.
“When you look at the team of Nigeria, there is no Nigerian in the team; they all play abroad. Like Atalanta, AC Milan, and Fulham. We don't have that, but it is not a disadvantage.
“We have good players, and we need more of our players in Europe. It will help South Africa become better,” the former Cameroon coach concluded.
