Broos Hails Bafana Bafana’s Mentality Vs Super Eagles Want VAR In W/Cup Qualifiers

South Africa head coach Hugo Broos has hailed the mentality of his players following their 1-1 draw against Nigeria’s Super Eagles.
South Africa maintained their impressive record of not losing a game inside the Godswill Akpabio Stadium following the draw in Group C matchday 3 of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers on Friday.
Themba Zwane gave South Africa the lead in the first half before Fisayo Dele-Bashiru equalised.
Following the draw, the Eagles are yet to record any win and occupy fifth place on three points.
The South Africans had travel inches on their way to Nigeria but still managed to earned a share of the points.
Reacting to the outcome of the game, Broos said: “I have to congratulate my players. As you know or you don’t know, we had a terrible travel to Nigeria on Wednesday.
“Considering difficulties we passed through coming, I would say the players did an extraordinary job.
Also read: Powered by Dotifi 2026 WCQ: Finidi Reveals Why Boniface Didn’t Play Against South Africa
“We were only in bed at two o’clock on Thursday morning. So we were 20 hours on the way. And when you see the mentality in the team today, then I can only be proud about my players.
“We arrived here at about 2am Thursday morning and of course, there was fatigue amongst the players. Yet, they were able to tenaciously hold their ground, despite the intensity of the match. That was because they know why we’re here.
“When you put together these things, and the fact that a point against Nigeria in Nigeria is not an easy result, I say, its a good result, for us, and the Super Eagles.”
Broos and his team would feel lucky after referee waved away a penalty appeal by the Super when a defender hauled Fisayo Dele-Bashiru.
The Belgian said it’s time FIFA introduced VAR in the qualifying stages of the World Cup.
“Not having VAR at this stage is not the best because we know that a single goal can determine a team’s fate in a game,” he said.
“And FIFA should do well to get VAR into the qualification campaigns.”
The 72-year-old Belgian admitted completely that the gap between the so-called big teams and the supposedly small teams has closed.
South Africa will be back in action next week when they will take on Zimbabwe while the Eagles will face Benin Republic on Tuesday in Côte d’Ivoire.
By Sab Osuji in Uyo
The post Broos Hails Bafana Bafana’s Mentality Vs Super Eagles Want VAR In W/Cup Qualifiers appeared first on pLayPLAy.NG.