According to a report by Vanguard Newspaper on Tuesday September 9, Super Eagles of Nigeria were once again at the center of football debate after their equalising goal against South Africa in a 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying match on Tuesday sparked mixed reactions.
The game, which carried heavy significance for both nations, saw Nigeria draw level just before halftime through defender Calvin Bassey.
However, the goal, described by many as controversial, has since generated heated discussions both on the pitch and across social media platforms.
The incident unfolded in the dying minutes of the first half when Nigeria pushed for an equaliser after conceding earlier in the match.
A scramble in the box led to the ball finding its way into the net, with the referee awarding the goal to Bassey.
South African players immediately protested, claiming there was an infringement in the build-up to the goal.
Despite their appeals, the decision stood, and Nigeria entered the break on level terms, much to the frustration of the home side and their supporters.
The absence of Video Assistant Referee (VAR) in the match became a major talking point after the game.
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Nigerian fans expressed relief that the technology was not in use, with many celebrating that the equaliser was allowed to stand without review.
On the other hand, South African supporters felt hard done by, insisting that VAR would have overturned the goal.
This split in opinion quickly spread online, with debates trending on social media platforms hours after the match ended.
Reactions on Nigerian social media leaned heavily towards jubilation, with fans praising the team’s fighting spirit and hailing Bassey’s effort as a turning point in the game.
Many argued that football without VAR restores the excitement and unpredictability of the sport, noting that in the past, controversial goals were part of the drama that made football enjoyable.
Supporters also emphasised that Nigeria needed a moment of fortune to boost their chances of staying in contention for World Cup qualification.
South African fans, meanwhile, were less forgiving, expressing disappointment over what they viewed as a costly refereeing error.
Several pointed out that the lack of VAR undermines fairness in high-stakes matches, arguing that modern football cannot do without technology to ensure accurate decisions.
Some critics even suggested that African qualifiers should standardise the use of VAR, particularly in games with significant consequences for teams hoping to reach the global stage.
Their sentiments highlighted the growing demand for consistent officiating in international competitions.
The controversy surrounding Bassey’s goal underlines the continuing debate over technology in African football.
While FIFA and the Confederation of African Football (CAF) have introduced VAR in major continental tournaments such as the Africa Cup of Nations, its availability for qualifiers remains inconsistent.
The incident has reignited calls for CAF to extend the system to all World Cup qualifiers, ensuring that critical moments are not left to human error alone.
As Nigeria and South Africa continue their campaigns for a place in the 2026 World Cup, this disputed goal will remain a reference point for conversations about fairness, technology, and the future of African football.
The goal has sparked conversations on social media, with Nigerians rejoicing that there was no VAR in the match, while South Africans bemoan the absence of video assistant referee.
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