Bafana legend Khune weighs in on Nigeria’s controversial goal

Bafana Bafana and Kaizer Chiefs legend Itumeleng Khune has shared his opinion on the controversial equaliser by Nigeria, stating that the goal should have been disallowed.

An unhappiness, Khune also slammed Gabonese referee Pierre Ghislain Atcho and his assistants, while also highlighting the need for VAR in African football.

The much-anticipated Bafana and Nigeria tie in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers ended in a 1-1 draw at the Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein on Tuesday.

Bafana had taken the lead in the 24th minute thanks to an own goal from William Troost-Ekong in the Group C game. However, Nigeria levelled the score just before halftime through Calvin Bassey. Replays clearly showed the ball hit the Super Eagles defender’s arm before going into the back of the net.

Speaking on SABC2, Khune expressed his frustration with the officiating and also criticised the defending on the play.

“We’ve been talking about VAR coming to South Africa, and this is where we needed it the most,” Khune said. “I don’t know how the referee missed that. He was in a good position to see. If he didn’t see it, his linesman should have, because when you look at Bassey, he jumped more than anyone else. It clearly shows he didn’t use his head; he used his hand, and South Africa was hard done by.”

Khune, however, also pointed a finger at Bafana’s own defending.

“Again, with his height, Siya Ngezana, you can’t be in the box and go down,” he explained. “He should’ve risen above the rest, even the goalkeeper, because the goalkeeper is coming from the near post trying to cover. But you expect your defender to help you in this kind of situation.”

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