Daniel Akpeyi Weighs In on Bassey’s Controversial Goal Against South Africa

Former Super Eagles goalkeeper, Daniel Akpeyi, has shared his perspective on the much-debated goal scored by Calvin Bassey in Nigeria’s 1-1 draw with South Africa in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier on Tuesday.

Bassey’s equaliser at the Toyota Stadium, Bloemfontein, came just before half-time when he headed in Fisayo Dele-Bashiru’s cross. However, replays showed the ball made contact with his hand before crossing the line.

Despite protests from Bafana Bafana players, the referee allowed the goal to stand as there was no VAR in use to review the incident.

Akpeyi, reacting to the controversy, defended the referee’s position.

“With the referee standing behind, he couldn’t get the view of the action, so he was also a bit far away from the action,” the former Super Eagles shot-stopper explained.

Opinion: The VAR Question Africa Can’t Ignore

The incident once again highlights the urgent need for VAR technology in African qualifiers. While South African players may feel hard done by, referees are also at a disadvantage without proper tools to make decisive calls in such high-stakes games.

Akpeyi’s comments underline the reality—referees are human and their vision is limited. What fans saw on TV or replays was invisible to the man in the middle at that moment. This isn’t the first time African football has been marred by officiating debates, and without VAR, it certainly won’t be the last.

The bigger issue here isn’t just about whether Nigeria were lucky or South Africa unlucky—it’s about CAF’s responsibility to ensure fairness at the highest level of competition. When World Cup spots are on the line, mistakes like this can tilt the balance of an entire group.

If Africa wants to match global standards, investment in VAR isn’t optional—it’s inevitable. Until then, football fans should brace themselves for more controversies that spark endless debates long after the final whistle.