Super Eagles head coach Finidi George expressed his disappointment over the lack of Video Assistant Referee (VAR) during their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying match against South Africa in Uyo on Friday.
The match ended in a 1-1 draw, with the Super Eagles feeling aggrieved by several key decisions. A clear penalty was denied when Fisayo Dele-Bashiru was brought down in the box in the 53rd minute.
Additionally, substitute Samuel Chukwueze’s curling shot hit the crossbar and bounced down, with some suggesting it may have crossed the goal line.
Finidi remarked, “We all saw the AFCON in Cote d’Ivoire where VAR was used effectively. Even Europeans praised the AFCON. It’s baffling that in World Cup qualifiers, where every detail matters, we don’t have the means to review crucial incidents to determine if a goal is valid.”
Referring to Chukwueze’s shot, he added, “From my vantage point, I couldn’t tell if it crossed the line, but with VAR, we would have had a definitive view. As a coach, I can’t change FIFA’s rules.”
