Calvin Bassey has expressed his joy after netting his first goal for the Super Eagles of Nigeria in their 1-1 draw with South Africa’s Bafana Bafana on Tuesday night at the Toyota Stadium, Bloemfontein.

The Fulham defender grabbed Nigeria’s equaliser on the stroke of half-time, rising highest to head home Fisayo Dele-Bashiru’s cross after William Troost-Ekong’s own goal had put the hosts in front.

Bassey marked the milestone with a heartfelt message on social media, describing it as an honour to score while donning the Super Eagles shirt. He also pledged that the team would continue fighting for a place at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

“Honoured to wear this shirt and score my first goal. We didn’t win but we keep believing, if anyone can do it, it is God,” Bassey wrote.

The 25-year-old, formerly of Rangers, has now made 32 appearances for Nigeria’s national team.

Nigeria head coach Eric Chelle has admitted that his tactical risk backfired during the Super Eagles’ 1-1 draw with South Africa in Tuesday’s 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier at the Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein.

An own goal from captain William Troost-Ekong put Bafana Bafana in front in the 22nd minute before Calvin Bassey equalised for Nigeria just before half-time.

Speaking after the game, Chelle revealed that his decision to set the team up one-on-one at the back left them vulnerable.
“We wanted to take a risk in the first half to stay one-on-one behind because for us the win was what we wanted,” Chelle said.
“We wanted to take a risk and just 22 minutes we took a goal, but after that we had the state of mind to come back.”

Chelle described the game as intense and praised both teams for their performances despite the difficult pitch.

The draw leaves Nigeria in third place in Group C, behind leaders South Africa and second-placed Benin Republic, with two matches left to play.

Nigeria’s bid to reach the 2026 FIFA World Cup suffered a heavy blow on Tuesday as the Super Eagles were forced to a 1-1 draw by South Africa in Bloemfontein.

The result leaves Nigeria’s qualification chances in jeopardy, with the team now trailing group leaders South Africa by six points. The Bafana Bafana sit top of Group C with 17 points, while Nigeria remain on 11 points alongside Benin Republic, who still have a game in hand.

South Africa began the clash with ferocious intensity, pressing high and looking to capitalize on home advantage. Nigeria responded in the 10th minute when Ademola Lookman whipped in a dangerous cross from the right, but goalkeeper Ronwen Williams reacted sharply to clear the threat.

The breakthrough came in the 25th minute when Super Eagles captain William Troost-Ekong inadvertently turned the ball into his own net, gifting South Africa the lead.

Nigeria, however, struck back on the stroke of half-time. Calvin Bassey rose highest to power home a header—controversial yet emphatic—that stunned the home crowd and brought the visitors level at 1-1.

At the interval, head coach Eric Chelle made bold changes, with Tolu Arokodare replacing Cyriel Dessers and Bruno Onyemaechi coming on for Troost-Ekong. Arokodare nearly made an immediate impact, surging down the left and cutting inside before firing just wide.

The Super Eagles began to dictate play in the second half, forcing South Africa onto the back foot. Despite their growing dominance, Nigeria struggled to convert pressure into goals.

As the game wore on, the visitors piled men forward in search of a winner, but their profligacy in front of goal proved costly. The final whistle confirmed a draw that leaves their World Cup qualification dream hanging by a thread.