They are all foreign based - South Africa coach Broos blows hot, says no Nigerian in the Super Eagles following FIFA WCQ

South African coach Hugo Broos has sparked controversy after Nigeria’s 1-1 draw with South Africa in their FIFA World Cup qualifying match by claiming that the Super Eagles squad lacks native Nigerian players.

The Bafana Bafana proved just too strong and difficult for the Super Eagles to break down in the decisive 2026 FIFA WCQ, a must-win clash for Nigeria.

Speaking to the media in a video shared on Instagram by Nigerian journalist Cali, Broos dismissed the Nigerian team as a collection of foreign-based players rather than homegrown talent. 

"Yeah, you know, when you see the team of Nigeria, there is no Nigerian in the team, they all play abroad," Broos said. "They all play in big teams like Atalanta, Milan, Fulham, name it, we don't have it."

Broos went on to defend South Africa’s squad, stating the absence of high-profile foreign-based stars is not a disadvantage. "But you see that it is not a disadvantage. We have good players. Really, we have good players," he added.

He also expressed hope that South African players will soon get more opportunities to move to European clubs, which he believes will strengthen the national team. 

"I hope really with what we did now with the national team and hopefully what we will do in the future, that those players get the occasion to go to Europe because that should help South African football."

Broos’s comments come amid growing tensions between the two nations following a tense qualifier where Nigeria’s hopes suffered a blow after a costly own goal by their captain, William Troost-Ekong, and a draw that leaves them trailing South Africa by six points with only two games remaining.

The comments have already drawn sharp reactions from Nigerian fans and media, who see them as dismissive and disrespectful to the Super Eagles’ quality and fighting spirit despite recent struggles. 

The controversy adds another layer of intensity ahead of the remaining fixtures in the World Cup qualifying campaign.