Don’t blame the boys – Nigerian envoy to South Africa begs Nigerians after FIFA WCQ setback

Nigeria’s Acting High Commissioner to South Africa, Alexander Temitope Ajayi, has appealed to Super Eagles fans not to unleash their frustrations on the players.

Recall that Nigeria's Super Eagles drew 1-1 with South Africa on Tuesday, a result that leaves Eric Chelle's side needing a miracle to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

An own goal from skipper Williams Troost-Ekong had put Bafana Bafana in front before Calvin Bassey's header in the dying seconds of the first half drew Nigeria level.

Ambassador Temitope Ajayi, during a chat with Nigerian journalists who paid a courtesy visit to the Nigerian House in Pretoria, explained that it wasn't the fault of Super Eagles players.

He said:

“They did their best. It was not their fault. The pitch was watered just 10 minutes before the match, and from the blast of the whistle, the South African intimidated the Eagles with their voices."

According to him, the team’s commitment could not be faulted, but “the odds worked against us.”

Ambassador Ajayi said the boys were unconsolable after the result against South Africa and that he considered bringing in a psychologist to speak to the boys. In the end, Kanu Nwankwo was brought in to encourage the players.

Further analysing the game, the acting commissioner mentioned three things that worked against the Super Eagles.

One is the poor pitch, the intimidation by South Africa and then poor administration by the Nigerian Football Association.

On the state of stadium that hosted the World Cup encounter, Ambassador Temitope said it's a CAF issue.

According to him, Nigerian officials had complained to FIFA and CAF, with the latter taking up the case with SAFA (South African Football Association), but SAFA replied that they had already sold more than 70% of the tickets, so changing the stadium would be a loss. They pleaded, and FIFA allowed the game to go on on that pitch.

"The pitch was watered just 10 minutes before the game, and you can see moisture. It's not Nigeria's fault and it's not the coach's fault," he added.

Ambassador Temitope Ajayi's message is very important at the time where the NFF were quick to single out two Super Eagles players for criticism.

Ademola Olajire, in his press release, labelled Cyriel Dessers "too slow" and that he could not "latch onto passes, could not win aerial balls and did little in bringing alive the Nigerian attack."

Furthermore, Nigeria's Acting Ambassador to South Africa clarified on rumours that the team was delayed at the airport.

"They weren't delayed. You know those E forms you fill at the airport. Those E forms by the time they were coming some of them didn't fill the form. So when they arrived they started filling those forms — this explains those slight delays. So the delay was due to immigration procedures," he stated.

On issues of mobilisation of Nigerian fans to the stadium he said:

"We mobilised as much as possible. The timing of the match didn't give Nigerians enough room to get to the stadium in Blomfontain. The journey from Pretoria to Blomfontain is about 5 hours."

In conclusion, Ambassador Temitope Ajayi urged fans to support the Super Eagles to go to African Cup of Nations in Morocco and that he is sure the team will deliver.