Many Nigerian football fans were left heartbroken at the Godswill Akpabio stadium in Uyo after Nigeria lost 2 nil to an impressive South Africa on the road to the TOTAL Africa Cup Of Nations (AFCON) Qualifiers on Saturday 10th June, 2017. This day was significant to the Bafana Bafana of South Africa team because it was the first time in 25 years they were able to beat the Super Eagles of Nigeria.
A brilliant header goal from South Africa’s Tokello Rantie in the 52nd minute from a connecting cross from team mate, Ramahlwe Mphahlele and 79th minute goal from substitute, Percy Tau who beat an offside trap to outrun the Nigerian goalkeeper, Akpeyi to score the second goal of the game for the visitors.
In the first half, the Super Eagles of Nigeria were in the front pedal of the game as they were on the offensive with lots of missed chances in front of the South African goal. In the 6th minute, Nigeria’s Ndidi Wilfred had his close range shot blazed over the cross bar from a cross from the left flank from Alex Iwobi.
Two minutes later, Nigeria’s Oghenekaro Etebo also had his goal bound ball pushed over the bar from South Africa’s goalie, Itumeleng Khune. In the 14th minute, South Africa in a quick succession of passes had a back heel flick from Sibusiso Vilakazi into the 18-yard box to Keagen Dolly but Nigeria’s defender, Troost Ekong had a timely clearance.
In the 21st minute, a nice combination of passes and dribbles between Nigeria’s Moses Simon and Kelechi Iheanacho into the half of the South African gifted team mate Oghenekaro Etebo with a clear cut chance to score inside the box but he goofed and missed it.
Moses Simon of Nigeria beats off his marker in the 37th minute, ran into the channel and had a lob ball at goal from the left wing but South Africa’s goalie, Khune had his hands on the ball to deny the ball from going in.
In the 41st minute, the Bafana Bafana almost scored when a cross from Tebego Joseph from the right flank had Nigeria’s goalie, Daniel Akpeyi spillig the ball for an on lurking Vilakazi whose shot was denied by the upright.
South Africa opened scoring in the 52nd minute when Tokello Rantie headed the ball into the back of the net from a cross by Ramahlwe Mphalele.
South Africa were slowly in firm control of the midfield as in the 69th minute, the one two passes from Themba Zwane and Keagan Dolly paid off as the goal bound ball was denied by the upright of the Nigerian goal post.
A quick clearance from a South Africa defender from a taken corner kick to Nigeria had substitute Percy Tau beating the offside trap, rounds up Nigerian goalie, Daniel Akpeyi to slot in the second goal of the game.
It was full time and Nigeria who were lack luster against the South African in the second half had to settle for 2 goals score line after 90 minutes.
TEAM LIST
NIGERIA:
Daniel Akpeyi, Elderso Echejiele, Williams Troost-Ekong, Chigozie Anaziem, Abdullahi Shehu, Ogenyi Onazi(c), Wilfred Ndidi, Oghenekaro Etebo, Moses Simon(Victor Osimhen 69’), Alex Iwobi(Ahmed Musa 59’) and Kelechi Iheanacho(Olanrewaju Kayode 67’).
Unused Substitute:
Ikechukwu Ezenwa, Kenneth Omeruo, Mikel Agu and Tyrone Ebuehi.
SOUTH AFRICA:
Ituneleng Khune, Rama Mphalele, Erick Mathoho, Thulani Hatshuwayo(c), Tebogo Langerman, Thomba Zwane, Dean Furman, Bongani Zungu(Tiyeni Mabunda 84’), Keagan Dolly, Sibusiso Vilakazi(Lebogang Manyama 64’) and Tokelo Rantie(Percy Tau 70’).
Unused Substitute:
Darren Keet, Andile Jali, Lorenzo Gordinho, Abubaker Mobara.
YELLOW CARD(S):
NIGERIA: Nil
SOUTH AFRICA: Nil
RED CARD(S):
NIGERIA: Nil
SOUTH AFRICA: Nil
GOAL(S):
NIGERIA: Nil
SOUTH AFRICA: Tokello Rantie (52’) and Percy Tau (79’)
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