Nigeria coach downplays touchline tension with Bafana’s Hugo Broos
Nigeria coach Eric Chelle downplayed his heated exchange with Bafana Bafana’s Hugo Broos during their tense FIFA World Cup qualifier, which ended in a 1-1 draw, at the Free State Stadium, on Tuesday. Picture: Shukri Hassan/BackpagePix
Image: Shukri Hassan/BackpagePix
To say the FIFA World Cup qualifier between hosts South Africa and Nigeria earlier this week was a tense affair is an understatement, with tempers boiling over during the clash on the touchline.
Nigeria coach Eric Chelle took exception to Bafana Bafana’s Teboho Mokoena’s treatment for an injury during the game.
Chelle took out his frustration on his opposite number, Hugo Broos, in the Bafana dugout.
It took the intervention of the referee to calm things down in the CAF Group C qualifier match at the Free State Stadium on Tuesday.
Managing Pressure in High-Stakes Football Matches
"Once again, this is a big game," Chelle told All Nigeria Soccer.
"There is stress, there is tension. You can say something badly, and sometimes you have to fight, not a real fight, but you need to manage it.”
Although tempers were flaring, Chelle went on to downplay the incident.
"Sometimes it is difficult because of the pressure. This is normal when both benches want to win. You know, every decision of the referee, one of the benches does not agree with it. This is football.”
South Africa’s Group Lead Under FIFA Investigation Over Mokoena’s Eligibility
The match ended in a 1-1 draw, as South Africa now cling to a three-point lead on 17 points at the top of their group. Benin are third on 14 points, with Nigeria in third on 11 points, ahead of Rwanda on goal difference.
Of course, South Africa have a cloud hanging over them as FIFA is yet to rule on Bafana fielding the ineligible Mokoena during a match earlier in their campaign against Lesotho.