Ahmed Musa
The
Super Eagles produced a more assured outing against South Africa on
Sunday than they did against Uganda in Uyo four days earlier as they
were held 1-1 by the hosts in an international friendly played at the
Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit.
Captain Ahmed Musa’s scorcher seemed to
have given the Nigerians the win but a stoppage time goal from Bongani
Zungu ensured the spoils were shared between both teams.
Eagles assistant coach, Daniel Amokachi,
who insisted that coach Stephen Keshi and not him pick the players for
the double friendly games, after the lacklustre defeat to Uganda,
started China-based striker Aaron Samuel, 19-year-old Gent forward Moses
Simon and Enyimba midfielder Kingsley Sokari, who was an unused
substitute against the Cranes.
Warri Wolves goalkeeper Daniel Akpeyi was
also picked ahead of Kano Pillars’ Theophilus Afelokhai after first
choice Vincent Enyeama pulled out due to injury.
The hosts dominated most of the game,
looking for a first win against the visitors in 11 years, but as in most
of their previous encounters against the Eagles, they failed to get a
much-desired victory.
Samuel forced Itumeleng Khune into an early save from a free-kick 25 yards out after he was fouled by Erick Mathoho.
Just barely a minute later Bafana Bafana
got their first real chance of the game when Thulani Hlatshwayo put
Zungu through but the Mamelodi Sundowns forward was denied by Akpeyi.
Both sides enjoyed possession but it was
Bafana Bafana that came closest to scoring with Sibusiso Vilakazi’s
header going just wide in the 22nd minute before Tokelo Rantie’s
goal-bound effort was blocked by right-back Leon Balogun.
Shakes Mashaba’s men pushed for the
opener and seemed to have gotten it just after 60 minutes, when Thulani
Serero was brought down inside the area. But Andile Jali saw his effort
from the spot saved by the impressive Akpeyi.
Nigeria then took the lead with just five
minutes of play left. Musa’s curling shot on the edge of the area after
some good work on the left flank, flew past a helpless Khune.
The Eagles looked to have won their
eighth game in 12 outings versus the hosts, but Zungu grabbed the
equaliser after Akpeyi palmed away Thuso Phala’s close range effort in
the 93rd minute to the relief of the home fans, who went into rapturous
celebration.
Nigeria have had the upper hand over the
South Africans since both sides first met in 1992, in a 1994 World Cup
qualifier, winning seven times and losing just once – in 2004 – in 12
meetings. But the Bafana Bafana ensured the Eagles didn’t defend their
Africa Cup of Nations title in Equatorial Guinea earlier in the year,
after they held the Nigerians 2-2 in Uyo in their final qualifier in
November 2014.
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