South Africa head coach, Hugo Broos, has praised his team for their resilience and strength after securing a hard-fought 1-1 draw against Nigeria in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier played at the Toyota Stadium, Bloemfontein, on Tuesday night.

The game was fiercely contested, with both sides battling for dominance. South Africa took the lead in the 25th minute after Nigeria’s captain, William Troost-Ekong, mistakenly bundled the ball into his own net.

The Super Eagles, however, responded just before the break when Calvin Bassey rose highest to nod in Fisayo Dele-Bashiru’s pinpoint cross, leveling the score at 1-1.

Nigeria came out stronger in the second half, pushing for a winning goal with their trademark physical and attacking style. But the Bafana Bafana defense held firm, frustrating the visitors and ensuring the points were shared.

Speaking after the game, Broos expressed pride in his players for standing toe-to-toe with the Super Eagles.

“It was a match like I expected, a physical match. In the second half, they tried to win with power football, but we did a very good job. I’m proud of how we matched their physicality,” the Belgian coach said.

The result keeps both teams in contention as the qualifiers enter a crucial stage, with every point now vital on the road to the 2026 World Cup.