Nigeria blame Free State Stadium after draw against Bafana Bafana in FIFA World Cup qualifier - 'Super Eagles arrived late & had to be ready mentally! I'm very disappointed about this pitch'

Nigeria came from a goal down to draw with South Africa in Group C's FIFA World Cup qualifier staged at Free State Stadium.

The Super Eagles needed a win to stay on course, but a draw has made their qualification difficult, as they are now six points behind Bafana Bafana with two games to go.

Hugo Broos' men are on 17 points from eight games, while the West Africans are on 12.

Initially, FIFA had refused the use of Free State Stadium owing to the unfriendly playing surface, but reversed their decision.

South Africa played Lesotho at the same venue on Friday, September 5, before hosting the Super Eagles four days later.

According to Eric Chelle, the pitch was not fit to host the game.

"We had no time to prepare for this game, because we travelled and we arrived late," he opened up to the media.

"So we had just one training session. So now we need to prepare on the pitch. We did prepare for this game mentally. And for sure, because of this pitch, we need to be ready mentally.

"I’m very disappointed about this pitch, because the two teams deserve a great pitch, because, you know, like I said, South Africa, play well, very well. They have a great team," Chelle concluded.

While South Africa are the clear favourites to qualify for the World Cup to be held jointly by the United States, Mexico, and Canada, the Super Eagles hope teams above them will lose the remaining games to stand a chance of qualifying.